Our Story
A mission born from one little girl, a big diagnosis, and the power of imagination.
Our Story
It All Started With Alice
In 2019, our lives changed forever.
Our daughter Alice was just 10 months old when we noticed something wasn’t right—she couldn’t hold her head up straight. We rushed to the emergency room at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, where we stayed for three days before a CT scan revealed something we never expected: a mass on her brain.
An MRI confirmed it—a brain tumor. A biopsy would later diagnose Alice with a Grade 2 Astrocytoma glioma. She was still a baby, and yet the hardest chapter of our lives had begun.
The Treatment That Changed Everything
Alice began treatment after a year of regular monitoring. At just two years old, she started chemotherapy along with a clinical trial drug. Treatment lasted 17 months.
There was no easing into it. Each week brought new trauma: Alice had to be held down by four nurses just so they could access her port. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the experience was terrifying for her. Over time, even a gentle hug from a friend could trigger a panic attack. She was diagnosed with severe PTSD.
These years were incredibly hard—for Alice, for our family, and for the siblings watching everything unfold.
A Princess with a Port
In the middle of that darkness, I wrote a story—just for Alice.
It was about a brave little princess on chemotherapy, with a port like hers, going through big, scary things—but still filled with magic.
That story became the first of many. From it, The Enchanted Hope Foundation was born. We saw how powerful story could be in helping children process, understand, and feel strong—even in the hospital.
From One Story to a Growing Movement
What started as one storybook grew into something so much more.
Today, the Enchanted Hope Foundation creates story-driven resources and magical experiences for children facing serious illness, as well as their siblings and families.
Through our books, comfort plushies, Enchanted Adventure Satchels, affirmation tools, photoshoot events, and free family galas, we bring hope, comfort, and joy to kids who deserve it most.
Alice is now six. While her tumor is still present and growing slowly, she is no longer in treatment—and she’s surrounded by a world she helped create: a world of bravery, friendship, and imagination.
Why We Do What We Do
Serious illness doesn’t just affect the child—it impacts the whole family. Siblings often feel scared, left out, or unsure how to help. Parents carry the weight of the unknown, all while trying to stay strong.
That’s why our mission is more than just comfort—it’s connection. Our programs are created by families, for families. Every satchel, every book, every event is designed to remind kids that they are never alone in their journey.
From Our Family to Yours
Our daughter’s story may have started this foundation, but it’s the thousands of children and families we’ve met since who keep it going.
Whether you’re here as a parent, a caregiver, a supporter, or someone who simply believes in the magic of childhood—thank you. You’re now part of the Enchanted Hope story, too.Â