Toys"R"Us, Canada donates a record $1.5 million to Starlight Children's Foundation Canada

TORONTO, April 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Toys"R"Us Canada has helped raise a record $1.5 million to help brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families across Canada, bringing the company's fundraising total to Starlight Children's Foundation Canada to $10 million over the past 15 years.

"Helping children is the focus of our charitable giving at Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us, and we believe that kids should be kids, especially when they are going through difficult times," said Kevin Macnab, President, Toys"R"Us, Canada. "We are very pleased with the record amount of funds we raised that go towards Starlight Canada's in-hospital and out-of-hospital programs to support sick children throughout their healthcare journey."

"We are grateful to Toys"R"Us, Canada for its ongoing commitment to our programs, which allows us to continue to provide much-needed relief from the pain, fear and isolation that sick children feel dominates their lives," said Christopher Barry, Starlight Canada's President. "Our programs are integral to the total care of seriously ill children and this support will help us reach even more children across Canada."

The funds raised by Toys"R"Us, Canada help support children like Eva.

"Eva, who is under four years old, was born prematurely with severe congenital heart abnormalities, has been in and out of the hospital her entire life. Sadly, last May Eva was hospitalized again for almost two months. "During all of the stress at the hospital, any small opportunity that made Eva feel like a regular little girl was an appreciated one," said Eva's mom, Anita Nakou. "When Eva's DVD player in her room didn't work, Starlight's Fun Center really came to the rescue. Eva was able to watch videos through the Fun Center's Wii system, which was a real relief. It was so nice to see my little girl transported out of the reality of her life in the hospital for a little while. Starlight provides both the means and the opportunity for us to spend some quality and worry-free family-time."

Anita continued, "Starlight continues to support us whether Eva is in the hospital or when we are out of the hospital. While the programs we use may seem like little things to healthy children, they really do matter and make a real impact."

Among other things, in 2012 funds raised by Toys"R"Us, Canada helped to sponsor:

• Over sixty $2,000 grants in over 55 hospitals across the country. The money has helped underfunded hospitals provide items that focus on entertainment and distraction for children.
• Over 15,000 Emergency Admission Kits that were distributed, containing a variety of essential products to make an unexpected hospital stay with an ill child as comfortable as possible.
• Approximately 6,000 Baby and Toddler Fun Kits designed for either babies 0-2 years or children aged 2-5 years old. Each kit is distributed to sick children who have to spend a few days in hospital and are unable to leave their cribs, beds or rooms. Many seriously ill children cannot share toys because of infection control, so these kits provide hours of needed distraction.

About Starlight Children's Foundation Canada
Starlight Children's Foundation Canada is a charitable organization that brightens the lives of seriously ill children and their families in communities across Canada.  We are the only charity in Canada that helps seriously ill children in and out-of-hospital from diagnosis throughout the course of their care journey.

About Toys"R"Us, Canada
Toys"R"Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys"R"Us, Inc., the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. Toys"R"Us, Canada operates 74 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca or www.babiesrus.ca.

SOURCE: Starlight Children's Foundation Canada

For media enquiries:

Starlight Children's Foundation Canada
Michele Vantrepote, Communications & Advancement, 416-642-5675

Toys"R"Us, Canada
Laura Arlabosse-Stewart, Paradigm Public Relations, 416-413-5185