“It all began with my wife,” Nick explains. “She started getting sick while we were camping. She was feeling really awful, and then as soon as we got home, our son Eli started showing symptoms as well.”

Tarah knows better than anyone that it is hard to take that first step. “Yes, you might be embarrassed and ashamed, and you don’t want to admit that you’ve messed up, but with the ABC program, you don’t have to worry about that. You’ll get the help you need with no judgment.”

When six-year-old Jack began feeling sick during the fall and winter months last year, his parents, Bryan and Stephanie, weren’t entirely surprised. After all, the holiday season, with its twinkling lights and delicious treats, is also the season when illness seems to be everywhere. And yet, something wasn’t right.

We are thrilled to announce that Tony Lucciola, a prostate cancer survivor and devoted community leader, will receive the prestigious Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Golden Horseshoe Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Joseph has lived and worked in St. Catharines for most of his life and has been a supporter of our local hospital many times. Most recently, he has joined our Niagara Health Foundation Legacy Society and plans to leave a gift in his Will to benefit the Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines.

Eleanor and William O lived a beautiful and exciting life together. They lived in several countries, including the USA and Saudi Arabia, but always considered Niagara to be home. They loved going to their favourite restaurant, Mai Thai, and spoiling their children and grandchildren when they visited them at their Niagara Falls home. Life was good, so when William started experiencing back pain, he didn’t think much of it. Nobody did.

In 2011, Dave and Michelle lost their son David to kidney disease when he was only 18 years old. “He was such a special boy,” says Michelle. “He was funny,” she adds with a smile. “So witty, such dry humour. And he was smart and kind... and I just knew, even as I was sitting with him when he was dying, that we would not allow death to be the end of him."