This past Saturday the Markham Fairgrounds hosted its annual cancer fundraiser Shania’s Sunflower of Hope Fun Fair, in honour of its founder Shania Ida Johnston. The fundraiser is dedicated to Neuroblastoma, the type of cancer that took Shania’s life in 2007. This amazing little girl began raising money during her treatment in 2006 by making bracelets, necklaces and keychains and selling them to neighbours and friends. Each trinket was decorated with sunflowers, Shania’s favourite flower. 

Now in its 5th year, Shania’s Sunflower of Hope has become a huge success and has grown immensely since its first year. Occupying 5 buildings at Markham Fairgrounds, the Fun Fair really lives up to its name. Face painting, magic shows, outdoor rock wall climbing, bouncy castles, basketball hoops, Harley Davidson motorcycles, raffles and bundles of cute animals to pet. The day was an absolutely perfect one, sunny and warm. Families of all sizes were in attendance and there was more then enough to keep the little ones entertained. And let me tell you….the guests at the royal wedding had nothing on some of the balloon fascinators I saw. 

If there’s anything that is NOT in short supply at this event it has to be sunflowers. They’re literally everywhere: on the walls made out of construction paper, painted on people’s faces, on all the t-shirts, on cupcakes made out of delicious icing, on knitted hats and of course on the bracelets and necklaces on sale that started this whole phenomenon.

This was my second year as the emcee for the event and I had the pleasure of introducing Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Scottish Highland dancers, a ventriloquist, the amazing motivational speaker Shayne Smith, and (my personal favourite) 15 awesome girls that not only raised $16,000 dollars for the cause but also had their ponytails cut off onstage and donated to make wigs for cancer patients.

The Johnston family (mom Karen and dad Shane) are the ones that continuously make this day happen. They plan for months every detail that goes into this day and always find new and exciting things to add to make each year better than the one before. They offer amazing prizes for anyone buying raffle tickets and give certificates of appreciation to the young girls cutting off their hair. Shania’s younger sister Shannon played the piano during the ceremony. She’s currently growing her hair so she can donate it next year.

To date Shania’s Sunflower of Hope has raised $240,000 for neuroblastoma research at Sick Kids Hospital.

Check out their website and keep them in mind when Shania’s Sunflower of Hope Fun Fair comes around next year.

http://www.shaniasunflower.ca/index.html