Happy New Year!

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Thank you to all of you for following along this site. Hoping that 2015 will bring you all much love and joy! I’m counting our blessings this year and am so humbled to have partnered up with some incredible organizations to give back to others in need. Special shout-out to the Oakville Parent-Child Centre. Here’s a snap from this years Breakfast with Santa 2014. 400 attendees, many singing children and of course the big man in red. Along with my special little helper, I was so happy to be the Emcee this year. If you’d like more info check out their site! Cheers to all and best of luck for this year!

 

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Parkinson Society Central & Northern Ontario`s SuperWalk Raises Upwards of $1,000,000!!

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It`s announcements like this that make me so humbled and honoured to act as the Regional Spokesperson of such an incredible organization. On behalf of families like mine I want to say thank you to all the supporters and participants involved in this years SuperWalk! One Million dollars and counting has been raised by our region! A huge amount that will go far in the search for a cure and support for those fighting Parkinson`s! I am overwhelmed by your generosity and goodwill!

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Everyday Heroes. Extrodinary Hope.

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I’m always proud to participate in the Parkinson SuperWalk! Thanks for having me back again this year to speak to the crowd. It was an especially emotional time – this is the first event I’ve been at since my Grandfather’s passing. He loved listening to the stories of those that fought the disease alongside him and this year was no different. Check out the video as the Citytv cameras were there to support the largest national fundraising event for Parkinson Society Canada! Tens of thousands of participants from coast-to-coast get involved. Last year close to 3 million dollars were raised for support services, research and advocacy….and most of all for continued HOPE!

I’d love to see you out at the Toronto walk next year! Visit parkinsonsuperwalk.ca for more information, to donate to the cause, or get involved as a volunteer! OR: There are hundreds of walks across the country, find one or start one near you! Thanks for reading!!

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Kudos to all the Mama’s out there!

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Busy? I’d say yes. Thanks to City Parent Magazine for taking the time to have this chat with me. We moms deserve a bit pat on the back! Hardest and most rewarding job out there is what I say. Here’s a little bit about how we’ve been adjusting and totally loving the first few months at home with baby! Read the article here. And jeeze, that whole pregnancy thing just flew right by!

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Hamilton’s True Love Story

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It’s been a tough couple months for my family and I. Many of you know, I have done work for the Parkinson and Alzheimer Societies, inspired by my beloved grandparents who were respectively fighting each disease. Now, I’d like to share this news with you all; the couple whom were inseparable in life have passed away within 24 hours of each other, after 54 years of marriage. Thank you to the Hamilton Spectator for allowing me to share this testament of the true power of love. Remember Ramzan and Laila Manek’s tale in your life today. Read the story here.

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Pregnant in the City

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Here it is! The main spread for Today’s Parent that I had mentioned. It was such a special experience getting together with my fellow Citytv ladies and celebrating all things motherhood. Check out our Q&A about bumps and bundles of joy here. This was shot in 2013 and I’m happy to report that now all have had their beautiful, healthy little ones and are enjoying their growing families. VIDEO: If you want to meet two of the babies and see me just before I went off on mat-leave, scroll down on this link.

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One year after Sandy Hook

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One year after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, residents marked the anniversary in quiet remembrance today.

I remember covering the story very clearly last year. Watching the growing make-shift memorials of candles and flowers on the steps of the US Consulate in Toronto. Watching the tender hugs between parents and their young children as the news struck. On Dec. 14, 2012, Adam Lanza, 20, shot his way into the school he had once attended and murdered 20 first-graders, all aged 6 and 7, and six adults. Before heading to the school, he killed his mother in her bed, who had legally purchased the guns Lanza used that day. Eleven minutes after blasting his way in, Lanza ended his rampage with suicide.

As a journalist, it’s one of the stories that stays with us all.

The aftershocks live on, a year later.

With files from citynews.ca

 

A pint-sized, cancer-fighting superstar!

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I came across a story that CityNews covered today about Hasbro toys donating goods to create a lovely play space at SickKids hospital. As one of the child ambassadors talking about how important it is to “be a kid still” while fighting cancer; I watched the incredibly brave 10-year-old Jadyn speak to the large crowd assembled. It’s not the first giant group of people the mini-dynamo has inspired. Her courageous (and on-going) battle with cancer is one for the record books, it’s come back 5 times, she’s had more than one hundred rounds of radiation: the most rounds ever recorded on the continent. And she’s still going strong to beat this thing. I was lucky enough to meet her and a few other incredible girls this year. Here is their must-see story as they prepared for the National day of Awareness and Action for Childhood Cancer.

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