Our first holiday event was in support of an organization that is very close to my heart, SickKids Hospital. I was born healthy; however, this changed at 30 days, when I was diagnosed with a parotid gland tumor, fortunately non-cancerous. The parotid gland is a bilateral salivary gland located in the face, near the ears. If this tumor was left untreated, it would have affected my quality of life and appearance. Thankfully, I was able to receive intense treatment at SickKids for the first 9 months of my life. Unfortunately during my first Christmas I contracted viral pneumonia, which was a result of a compromised immune system. I am told it was touch and go if I would make it. Thanks to a very specialized team of doctors and staff at SickKids, I fortunately recovered. With only 9 months under my belt, my parents always called me a survivor. Fast forward 7 years, my appointments at SickKids became less frequent, and I was finally given a clean bill of health. I will forever be grateful for the team at SickKids. Donations from this fundraiser were directed towards Christmas gifts for the children spending their holiday at SickKids and the dermatology clinic, where I was treated. Due to the incredible support of our community, we successfully raised $5,697 in just 24 days!