STARLIGHT What's Your Why?

It makes me sad so few people know the impact Starlight has on children and their families – they make a real difference each day.

Starlight has been part of my life for 5 years, & each day I'm amazed by their selflessness – I'm so glad I get to work with them

Think about how many more children would be smiling if we all told just one friend about Starlight.

I work with Starlight each day because I know somewhere a child's day is a little brighter because Starlight was there for them.

Working with Starlight has opened my eyes to the sad reality that sick children face, but also the amazing support Starlight provides!

Starlight Foundation makes it easy for ANYONE, ANYWHERE to make a positive impact in a sick child's life.

Starlight has opened my eyes and my heart.

Starlight means a lot to me, but it means more to the sick kids they help.

You don't have to change your life, to alter someone else's.

Starlight is an amazing foundation that truly impacts children & their families as they deal with the burden of serious illness.

You really don't get to feel the magic of Starlight until you see how they light up a child's life through fun activities.

Starlight uplifts spirits and provides connections so nobody feels alone during times of struggle. I'm blessed to work with them.

Starlight is important to me because it helps ease the heavy burden of a very sick child and gives him/her a reason to smile.

To families dealing with serious illness, Starlight is a friend who listens, understands, and wants to help.

When a Starlight parent sheds a tear of joy rather than sadness, I remember why Starlight owns such a special place in my heart.

Nothing puts things into perspective quicker than meeting a child who has experienced a lifetime of pain & suffering before they turn 5.

Starlight helps sick children play, laugh, make friends and just feel like a kid again.

At a Starlight Escapes event, no matter how sick a child is, or stressed the families are, the sec they walk thru the door they are instantly normal

Starlight brings such joy to families during an extremely distressing and difficult time.

Starlight acknowledges that everyone in the family suffers & includes the whole family in the wonderful experiences it offers!

Starlight provide some relief to parents, siblings & even grandparents through their support and Starlight Escapes.

Starlight creates lasting and important memories that are worlds away from hospital beds and medical procedures.

I've seen the magic of Starlight at work with seriously ill children. You can help spread that magic!

Starlight is the bright light on what can often be some very dark days. Our family could never say thanks enough for shining the light!

Starlight has given us a chance to feel like a normal family. Something we haven't experienced in a very long time.

Laughter, smiles and hope - that is what Starlight means to our family!

Starlight means lots of fun things to my family! U can help more families

Starlight gives a child & their family a reason to smile when it seems like there is no reason. Spread the smiles!

No matter how hard times are for kids and families, Starlight helps them take at moment to enjoy themselves and each other. Starlight brightens a child's life with the support they provide for children & their families. Brighten a child's life. They may not be able to take away the disease forever or find a cure but Starlight makes life "non- medical" for a while.

Having a seriously ill child makes looking ahead difficult. Starlight gives our family a chance to create rewarding memories!

Starlight has brought an escape and a bit of sunshine into our family life.

Starlight helps take our thoughts away from the hospital.

Starlight's support is invaluable and healing! Our children light up at Starlight Escapes and in turn so do we.

Being a Starlight Family has helped us "forget" a bit about all of the surgeries and procedures.

The Starlight day trips we take are our vacation! It gives us great opportunities to be together and be "normal".

Starlight gives us the opportunity to spend quality time as a family when we are not thinking about the crisis of a sick child.

Starlight plans events for families that create precious memories for us to recall during our difficult times.

Starlight Escapes have provided my son with lots of fun and memories. Starlight has brought smiles to my son's face many times over! Because of Starlight we have an incredible support team. Starlight brings families together to create many memories, laugh, cry, and support one another.

Starlight gives sick kids a chance to feel like any other kid with no physical barriers.

To feel free from machines. To take my worries and fears away. To be special for a moment in time. That's what Starlight means to me.

Starlight gave our family the ability to experience life again. Through Starlight Escapes we go to amazing events without the worry of accessibility.

Starlight provides families with fun activities to ease the pain of dealing with a medically fragile child.

Starlight gives sick kids some special, magical experiences to remember during this tough time in their life.

Starlight makes children forget even for just a few minutes about what is happening in their lives.

Starlight puts smiles on children's faces when there is very little to smile about. Starlight makes sick children's lives a little bit easier. Starlight is important to me because it provides a level of dignity and an acknowledgment that people still care about children in need. Starlight means we have something positive to look forward to. From invitations to anticipating the event and finally having a fantastic day!

At a Starlight event, all families have to worry about is having fun!

When our minds are full of medical visits, treatments & medicine, we can just show up to a Starlight event and enjoy.

Starlight is a warm place away from the storm we call our lives. A place to feel happy and safe!

Starlight lets kids remember how fun it is to be a kid & the parents enjoy a stress free, pre-planned family event. It's win-win!

When a family is thrown for a loop with a child with an illness, Starlight brings them back together.

Starlight gave my sister and I reasons to celebrate our family and our life together.

The smiles the kids have when they get to go out and have fun because of Starlight are priceless.

Some of my most unique and memorable life experiences, like meeting Celine Dion, are all thanks to Starlight!

Starlight sent my sister and I horseback riding during the height of her illness. It makes me think of the good parts of those hard times.

Starlight went above and beyond, personalized my sister's wish, and made it a dream beyond expectations.

Those who support Starlight, support a better life for real Canadian children.

It's the little things that make the biggest diff. & help provide the strength to make sure their baby sees them smiling. Starlight helped!

To see a sick child and their family experience an outing such as the Santa flight last year was an incredibly uplifting experience!

Our reward is paid to us over and over in smiles and laughs. –Starlight Board of Directors

Peace of mind….sanity…a chance to be a family again and to forget about being sick…laughter…smiles….That's Starlight!

Starlight has helped us ensure that even though our child might not have the easiest life, she can still have an ABUNDANT life!

Starlight has helped us have experiences as a family that would not otherwise be possible.

Caring for a child with a chronic illness often means families are limited to one income.

Caring for a child with a life-threatening illness often means information overload & emotional burnout.

Starlight invests their energy into planning fun events. One less thing for over-taxed parents to think about!

Starlight helps us feel like an ordinary family who have been blessed with an extraordinary child.

Starlight shows us no matter how tough things are there is still always a reason to smile.

Starlight has helped us meet new friends and connect with families who share similar struggles and unique joy.

Starlight really understands that we are a whole family, not just one child with a disability.

Starlight understands that behind the disability or illness there is a child with hopes and dreams and desires.

Starlight give kids with different abilities a chance to go out to fun places – like concerts, hockey games, movie premieres,

Starlight gives us a chance to do cool stuff right in our own backyards and make new friends and realize we are not alone~Starlight Child

Starlight are our angels here on earth and I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. – A Starlight Child

Starlight came into our life just after my daughter's 5th heart surgery, when she was 4 years old. Taylor's dream to go to Disney world came true because of Starlight. It was amazing to be away and forget about her condition for a few days. Starlight gives Taylor the chance to be around other children who understand what she has been through. Thank you to all at Starlight for all that you do and for putting smiles on sick children's faces. Starlight has been an escape from our daily routine & has given us a break from our daughter's health concerns. Starlight is a welcome place with a friendly environment where everyone is equal, a place of sharing with others who are in the same boat. Starlight has been a blessing to our lives. They have treated our daughter like a princess. Starlight makes you forget about the disease or illness that you deal with everyday, all-day.

Thanks to Starlight we were able to celebrate Christmas w/ wonderful gifts for our son. They have given us amazing experiences & memories!

Starlight's extremely generous, offering children w/disabilities a chance to experience social events: concerts & games.

When your child is sick – it can be a very frightening, lonely, sad experience 4 the entire family. Starlight helps!

When your child is sick –The day-to-day routine can be a struggle and the worry overwhelming.

Starlight has allowed our family to spend quality time together – enjoying events and each other.

Starlight has helped us relieve some of the stress and live in the moment – especially when every moment counts.

It was so difficult to cope with the long stays in the hospital, the multitude of doctors and specialists and the testing. Starlight helped!

As a mother, I'll always have a bit of fear for my kids' health, but I have truly gained so much strength from the Starlight experience.

OUR entire family loves to come to the city for activities that Starlight provides. We loved going to the aquarium and day trips!

Starlight makes our child who had cancer feel extra special. Thanks forever Starlight!

Starlight has provided our son and family with activities and adventures that have had a great impact on our lives.

Starlight was responsible for some very pivotal moments along my son's road to wellness and recovery.

We help seriously ill children & their families cope with pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

Between doctor's visits we don't have time to plan for a lot of fun – but, with Starlight we attend a lot of great fun events!

Starlight knows how tough it can be to have life balance when you have a child with health challenges.

Starlight helps us take a break from the hard times! Whether it's a Christmas party or go-karting.

Starlight gives us something to look forward to, other than doctor's appts, medical procedures and hospital stays.

Starlight acknowledges the whole family! My daughter's twin sure appreciates feeling as important as her sister a few times a year. Starlight makes things easy and accessible, two words that almost disappear from your vocabulary when you have a special needs child. Starlight has reminded me what it's like to cry tears of joy! Starlight helps children rebuild their confidence, love, and strength

Thanks Starlight because of you I can see the lighter side of the world. I love Starlight! – Evelyn, 10 years old.

At Starlight events all the kids & families belong because we all share the same sadness & there is no shame in that place. –Evelyn, 10 years old

Starlight is fun and amazing. I really enjoy every minute there and I forget all the problems I am going through with my family. –David, 9 years old

Thanks for the unforgettable smiles and happiness that I see in my kids every time we go to your events!

Being there with families very different, but so similar at the same time makes my kids feel we are a normal family.

Starlight is so fun. I love it. Can we go again? – Gabriel, 3 years old

We have met many other families through Starlight & it's wonderful to connect with people in similar situations as ourselves. Starlight means opportunity & adventure, providing strength and laughter to those who need it most. Starlight has treated us to many wonderful experiences-from sleepovers at the Aquarium- to a Jonas Brothers concert, to a mom & me spa day, and many more!

Every experience I have had with #Starlight has been positive, uplifting, inspirational, and unforgettable.

#Starlight provides sick children & their families with unforgettable experiences. You can help spread more Smiles!

To a child with a serious illness-every moment is significant –Starlight brings even the smallest moments to life-igniting smiles and hope.