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Early support didn’t just help Cohen play—it helped him believe

We first met Cohen when he and his sister, Sophia, brought us a donation—they had saved up their earnings from doing household chores to help other kids. Not long afterwards,...
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“A lot less stress and a lot more time to visit my kid”: The essence of Jeneece Place

Dahlia is a spirited three-year-old who loves typical toddler things – dinosaurs, colouring, and playing in her toy kitchen. However, her entrance into the world was far from ordinary. Born...
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Every step of the way, you’re there for Island kids like Scotia

Three-year-old Scotia is an amazing little girl who loves books, colouring, and playing at the park. But her earliest days were full of challenges. In utero, Scotia was diagnosed with...
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Finding strength at Jeneece Place: A mother’s journey 

Since his birth in March 2023, Bellamy, with his infectious smile and bright blue eyes, has been a great source of joy for his family. It’s what’s helped them through...
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An update about our holiday appeal

As you are no doubt aware, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers declared a nationwide strike on Friday, November 15, bringing mail delivery to a halt across the country. We...
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National Child Day: Reflecting on our commitment to children’s rights to health care

Today is National Child Day. A day to acknowledge the importance of children’s rights and our country’s commitment to upholding them. This day stems from the United Nations Convention on...
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How an adaptive bike from Bear Essentials changed Roland’s life

From the moment he was born, Roland was a happy and joyful boy, always laughing and squealing with delight. However, his parents, Aubrey and Jeremy, began to notice differences as...
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Now and then: How Bear Essentials helped this Parksville family

A few years ago, we introduced you to Heather, Wyatt, and Kason from Parksville. Living on Vancouver Island with her two sons, Heather’s experienced both the highs and lows that...
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Jax’s journey: a year of growth

Last year, we introduced you to Jax, a middle-schooler facing challenges associated with cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia, and autism spectrum disorder. Now 13, he lives in Sidney with his devoted...
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What it means to put the health of Island kids first

For nearly 100 years, we’ve been supporting the health of Island kids. And in that time, our organization has been known by different names. Our programs have evolved to support...
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How Bear Essentials helped this dancer hear her melody

In the heart of Victoria, 11-year-old Abi isn’t just a middle schooler and competitive dancer; she’s a young girl grappling with an unexpected adversary — hearing loss. Her journey began...
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Then and now: How Bear Essentials is improving Jackson’s life

Jackson, called “Jax” by his family and friends, has an infectious laugh and an amazing “go with the flow” attitude.  A happy twelve-year old, Jax lives with his parents Tracey...