Liam Wilson met Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews through Make-A-Wish Canada. His mother, Deane Wilson, launched Liam's Mission to raise money and awareness of cystic fibrosis.Supplied
The organizer: Deana Wilson
The pitch: Launching Liam’s Mission
The cause: To raise awareness about cystic fibrosis
Liam Wilson was three weeks old when his mother, Deana Wilson, noticed he had trouble breathing.
He was also losing weight rapidly and at first doctors couldn’t understand what was wrong. Finally they determined that Liam had cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes breathing and digestive problems.
“We were in complete and total shock, devastation and utter disbelief,” Ms. Wilson recalled from the family’s home in Milton, Ont.
Liam began a regular routine of medication and physiotherapy. At first Ms. Wilson was reluctant to tell people about her son’s illness.
“When Liam was a baby my dad used to tell everybody that he had CF and I used to get so upset with him because I didn’t want people looking at him and judging or treating him any different,” Ms. Wilson said.
“My dad turned around and said, ‘You’re going to have to raise awareness. I will do it for now if you don’t want to, but eventually, you’re his mom, you’re going to have to start.’”
Ms. Wilson knew he was right and she launched Liam’s Mission to draw public attention to the illness and raise money.
Liam became an advocate for people living with CF. He gave talks at his school and participated in media interviews. The organization has also published a series of workbooks to help families living with the disease, and it raises money for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children where Liam has been treated. So far the Mission has raised $25,000.
Liam is now 11 years old, and last month he had a dream day with Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, courtesy of Make-A-Wish Canada. He attended a team practice and met Mr. Matthews. He gave his hockey hero specially-designed skates and a stick. “He wanted Auston to know how much he inspired him and how important hockey has been in helping him push through difficult medical days,” Ms. Wilson said.
Ms. Wilson said Liam has learned to live with challenges few other children face. “Yet through it all, Liam remains incredibly thoughtful, imaginative, and determined to find joy and meaning in every moment,” she said. Liam’s message to other kids with CF? “Just to never give up”.