'It broke my heart': Group donates meals to families isolating in children's cancer ward
A support group for families battling childhood cancer is helping parents and caregivers stuck self-isolating in hospital.
Parents and guardians of eight to ten children were forced to self-isolate for 12 days after a COVID-19 outbreak was declared in the children's hospital cancer ward.
While kids are still provided meals, the parents only get a bagged lunch and aren't allowed to go down to the cafeteria.
That's why Candlelighters, a childhood cancer support group, sprung into action to help supply them with dinner.
"It broke my heart to think that their families would have to be scrambling," said Naomi Fehr, Candlelighters' board chair. "So the fear of having a child with cancer - newly diagnosed, recently diagnosed - is scary enough. Never mind having to have the scare of COVID-19 on top of that."
Fehr said the group was first contacted by a mother in the ward.
Since putting out a call for help on Thursday, the group has received over $14,000 in donations and countless offers of support.
"We have received so much help. Like people offering to help, restaurants have been reaching out," said Fehr.
"I have complete strangers that are contacting me and saying, 'We're raising funds, we've got X number of days paid for.' It's just been unbelievable."
Fehr says meals for the families are covered for the next few weeks, and the group is working on a plan to buy a couple of dinners a week well into the future.
More information on the group can be found on Candlelighters' website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.