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Meet Malakai: How Bear Essentials has given this Sooke family peace of mind

On a typical day, you might find Island kid Malakai swimming, listening to music, or laughing with his parents. Described by his dad, Joshua, as a joy to be around,...
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How Bear Essentials supports the comfort and independence of Island kid Emma

Like many five-year-olds, Emma is a kind and outgoing girl with endless energy. She loves playing in the park with her big sister Rhiannon, swimming, and cooking with her family....
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Away from home with a preemie: Why Nick Chowdhury supports a home away from home in Campbell River

Seven-year-old Nathan can light up a room. Just ask his dad, Nick, and you’ll hear about Nathan’s big smile, how he’s always dancing and singing along to music — even...
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Meet Misty, Lucy, and Clara: How Victoria’s home away from home welcomed Campbell River mom with preemie twins

By the time Campbell River mom Misty was pregnant with her twins, she knew what was normal in a pregnancy and what wasn’t. Misty already had three kids and had...
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Meet Shyla and Caide: How a home away from home helped this Campbell River family

In spring of 2018, Campbell River soon-to-be mom Shyla went into preterm labour at just 24 weeks. After being flown to Vancouver and then sent to Victoria, Shyla knew there...
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Then and now: How your donor dollars helped Campbell River kid Emma access essential health care

When Brian and Ricci Miller drove from their hometown of Campbell River to Victoria for a routine ultrasound, they weren’t expecting to end up staying for a full month. They...
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How Bear Essentials supports the comfort, inclusion, and independence of Island kid Owen

In many ways, 11-year-old Owen is like a lot of kids his age: he loves going to school, playing with his brother Max, and going to the beach with his...
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Meet Foundry Victoria peer support worker Maude

Please note: This story contains content that may not be suitable for all audiences, including people who have experienced traumatic events from mental health or substance use challenges or for...
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Meet Holly and Emily: How Bear Essentials helps one Nanaimo family in their day-to-day life

Ask Holly to describe Emily, her teenage daughter, and Holly is quick to reply. Emily likes dancing and loves singing, especially anything by One Direction. She likes performing and being...
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Meet Aubrey: How Sundrops Centre’s early intervention helped this Island kid from Duncan

Candice first noticed that her daughter, Aubrey, might have some unique challenges when she was about two years old. Aubrey’s younger brother, Tucker, was surpassing her developmental milestones. Mostly, Candice...
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‘I love Lucy’: A Victoria family’s journey through cleft lip and palate diagnosis and treatment

Danielle Green learned her family’s life was going to change during her ultrasound at 18 weeks pregnant. Physicians detected her baby Lucy would be born with a cleft lip. “We...
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Home away from home Jeneece Place provides sanctuary for Pender Island family

In August of 2017, Leah and Austin Davies were living a happy life on Pender Island with their seven, and soon to be eight, children. One evening, when Leah was...