About

This fundraiser was created after we witnessed the challenges children and teens face during cancer treatment, especially managing chemotherapy ports without specialized port shirts. Frequent dressing checks often require lifting or removing clothing, making an already difficult experience uncomfortable and disruptive. We also noticed that existing port shirts are often expensive and limited to dull, clinical designs. A child may have their port accessed over 50 times during the course of their treatment.

This mission became personal when I was hospitalized for a pneumothorax and needed a chest tube. I experienced firsthand how much easier care could be with accessible clothing like a shirt with a zipper. That experience reinforced our commitment to providing children and teens with vibrant, functional port shirts and care items that bring comfort and make treatment easier.

 

Childhood Cancer

Numbers

  • About 10,000 children in Canada currently live with cancer
  • 1,000 adolescents (0-19 years) in Canada are diagnosed with cancer each year
  • More than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are treated with chemotherapy as part of their care

Chemo Port

A chemotherapy port is a small medical device placed under the skin, usually in the chest, that allows doctors to give chemotherapy and draw blood without repeated needle sticks.

Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer refers to cancers that occur in children and teens, most commonly leukemia, brain tumors, and lymphomas. These cancers differ from adult cancers and often grow faster, which makes them highly treatable, with cure rates exceeding 80% in high-income countries. However, many survivors face long-term physical and emotional effects, driving ongoing research to improve treatments and long-term survivorship care.

Port Shirt

A port shirt is a specially designed shirt with easy-access openings that let healthcare providers reach the port comfortably while helping patients feel more at ease and covered.