Caring to the Core Gala
Charity helps kids who need drugs outside OHIP
The Canadian Jewish News, January 27, 2012
TORONTO — Aaron Maresky was only seven years old when he was diagnosed with the painful gastrointestinal (GI) disease called Crohn’s.
“He couldn’t eat, he couldn’t drink, he had unbearable stomach pains,” said Mandy Maresky, Aaron’s mom.
Aaron, who had lost 30 pounds as a result of the chronic disease, spent the following three months in and out of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto while doctors tried to find a medication that would relieve his symptoms.
They found success with a class of drugs called biologics, which treat the symptoms of Crohn’s and other diseases.
As soon as Aaron began receiving infusions of Remicade, a drug that is not covered by OHIP and costs about $4,000 a month, his condition improved immediately.
“It was amazing. We started to think that maybe they had misdiagnosed him,” Maresky recalled.
Luckily, the Mareskys have insurance that covers the cost of the expensive drugs.
Maresky said her son, who went from being a “normal, very active” seven-year-old to a child who had to receive painful infusions each month, didn’t waste time feeling sorry for himself
During one of his frequent visits to SickKids, Aaron pulled some money from of his pocket – the allowance his mother had given him – handed it to a nurse, and asked her to give it to another family in need.
Giving money and gifts to other families in the GI clinic at SickKids during his monthly visits became a regular occurrence.
Maresky suspects Aaron had noticed the support he received from family and friends, as well as Chai Lifeline Canada, a non-profit organization that supports children with serious illness.
“Because Aaron saw what a difference this made to him, he wanted to give back and do the same for other children,” Maresky said.
“One day, he said, ‘Let’s just start our own charity.’ Basically, that’s how Aaron’s Apple was born.”
Aaron’s Apple, a registered Canadian charity under the auspices of Chai Lifeline Canada, was co-founded by Aaron – who is now a 10-year-old Grade 5 student at Associated Hebrew Schools Kimel campus – and his parents.
It collects funds to help Canadian families without insurance pay for drugs that OHIP doesn’t cover.
Maresky explained that Ontario residents who don’t have insurance and can’t afford the high drug costs can apply for assistance from the Trillium Drug Program. But, she added, the process to get approval could take months.
“When a child is very sick and wasting away and in a lot of pain, and they can’t go to school, they don’t have time to wait for approval. So with Aaron’s Apple, we raise money, and the money will be given directly to the families to bridge the gap,” Maresky explained.
“As soon as Trillium takes over, that’s when we step back. Sometimes they don’t get assistance, so we pay.”
To date, Aaron’s Apple has raised more than $50,000 and helped three families that were referred to the organization by SickKids.
She hopes the first annual Caring to the Core Gala will help raise upward of $100,000 to help more families.
Citytv reporter Galit Solomon and Gemini Award-nominated producer and television host Marshall Jay Kaplan will host the Feb. 11 gala, which will be held at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue.
The “adult-inspired” event will feature dinner, an open bar, entertainment, music and an auction, as well as a raffle to win a trip to the “Big Apple,” New York.
Aaron, who is now at a healthy weight, but still experiences “flare-ups” said he was “very excited” about the upcoming gala.
Aaron said he hopes the event will raise “a lot of money because there are always going to be families that need help.”
Maresky said Aaron’s Apple offers help for children suffering from all kinds of chronic illnesses, not just Crohn’s disease.
“We don’t want to turn anyone down… No child should suffer and not have access to what they need.”
Maresky said being a part of this charity helps her son and her family focus on something positive.
“He’s very involved. He’s an amazing kid. We’re just so proud of him. He’s so positive and he never complains.”
Thornhill boy raises money for children with Crohn’s disease
CityNews.ca, January 19, 2012
Aaron Maresky knows exactly how lucky he is.
The drugs the 10-year-old needs to treat his Crohn’s disease, which affects his bowels, cost $20,000 a year and are covered by his parents’ insurance.
But other children aren’t so lucky.
The Thornhill boy started a charity called Aaron’s Apple to help other patients pay for the medicine they need to combat the “gums to bums” disease, as well as other auto-immune disorders.
“[Crohn’s] inflames my lower intestine, and it makes my stomach hurt a lot,” Maresky told CityNews.
He lost 30 pounds in the first month when he was diagnosed at seven, his mother Mandy added.
“I thought it was unfair” that other children didn’t have the same access to drugs, Maresky said.
So far, Aaron’s Apple has raised more than $43,000.
Aaron’s Apple helps keep the doctor away
yorkregion.com
December 5, 2011
There isn’t much that separates Aaron Maresky from other 10-year-olds in Thornhill. The only notable difference in appearance is he prefers to don the red, white and blue of his beloved Montreal Canadiens over the blue and white of the Toronto Maple Leafs. “They have the most epic team,” he said. “You know what Leafs stands for: losers even after 40 seasons.”
Three years ago it wasn’t as easy for Aaron to joke around. He was holed-up in a hospital bed at SickKids for three months after losing 30 pounds. It was there he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The chronic inflammatory bowel disease forced Aaron onto a steady diet of biological infusions that he will have to take for the foreseeable future and quite likely the rest of his life.
The good news for Aaron was the treatments made him feel a lot better. He was able to gain his weight back and return to Associated Hebrew School.
Upon one of his many returns to SickKids for an infusion something compelled Aaron to reach in his pocket and pullout money that he wanted to donate. “Charity helped me when I was in the hospital and I thought other children needed help, too,” he said. That’s how Aaron’s Apple was conceived.
The charity, set up by Aaron and his parents, Mandy and Neil, helps families pay for the sky-high drug costs it takes to treat auto-immune diseases. Ms Maresky said the family is lucky to be covered by a private insurance plan. OHIP doesn’t cover auto-immune suppressant infusions so a lot of families are left in a lurch, she said.
The cost of one of Aaron’s treatments is just under $4,000. The annual bill would be somewhere in the vicinity of $30,000, she said. Families can apply for assistance from the Trillium Foundation but sometimes the application process can take six months. “We help bridge that gap,” said Ms Maresky. “We’re willing to help anybody who needs our funding with any kind of expense of medical costs. We try not to turn anyone down.”
So far Aaron’s Apple has raised $45,000. It is a registered Canadian charity that is run under the auspices of Chai Lifeline Canada. Ms Maresky said children are recommended to them from SickKids.
But there is continual pressure for Aaron’s Apple to raise more money because children continue to need support. “We try to raise a lot of awareness and try to get as much support as we can and raise as much money as we can,” said Ms Maresky.
The charity is hosting its first annual gala in February and Ms Maresky said she is looking for corporate sponsors.
Aaron said he was happy with how the charity has grown over the year with successful fundraisers. At the latest fundraiser, a spin-o-thon at Spynga Yoga, Aaron’s Apple raised more than $14,000.
Aaron was reluctant to heap accolades on himself for the charity’s accomplishments. He simply said, “I felt it was the right thing to do.’”
He still has is ups and downs. Although he receives infusions regularly, he has bad flare-ups periodically that make life a little more difficult. Aaron has gotten used to the hospital. The first time he was a SickKids he had to be held down to receive the needle for his infusion. Now, he just asks for them to count to three.
In his free time Aaron prefers to read Louis Sachar, watch the Montreal Canadiens and chastise Maple Leaf fans. “You are not a Canadiens fan. Shame on you,” he said.
Aaron’s Apple on Global TV Toronto
Chrohn’s Disease
$10000 yes TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED!!!
Walmart Helped us
http://www.rogerstv.com/get.asp?lid=237&rid=17&mid=52&gid=70020
Check out these articles from the Toronto Sun:
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/22/15106361.html
and the viewers comment:
“What a wonderful UNSELFISH little boy!
This is such a beautiful thing for this child to do for other ill children, too many get spoiled by
parents once they get a horrrible disease & they make the child think ONLY of themselves and what they can get from others, even if its just a cookie or chips they know they shouldnt have.
I have seen this over and over. KUDOS go out to Aaron’s parents for teaching him to have love and respect for others.
A wonderful family who in their own pain and worry have every right to be proud of their little son .
CONGRATULATIONS AARON “
Pauliine, August 23rd 2010, 8:52am
Liberal
Jewish Tribune
Here is some Random Feedback:
Hello Aaron,
My name is xxxx, and I am 24 years old. I also suffer from Crohn’s Disease. I came across your charity while I was doing some research on Crohn’s. It makes me happy to see a young boy doing the work you are doing for a great cause! I read your story and I can relate. I too was diagnosed at a young age. I was 10 years old when I first started getting sick and my first hospitalization lasted for 6 whole months! I struggled for many years with the disease. Like you, I have gone through many many tests, procedures, hospitalizations, and medications. Two years ago I became very very sick and was put on Remicade like you! I immediately began to feel much better and have been feeling good ever since. I was lucky enough to have insurance and my parent’s help to pay for my Remicade. But as you know, there are many children who are not as lucky as you and I and cannot afford this expensive medication.
I just wanted to let you know that I think what you are doing is great and to keep up the good work! I have made a donation to your charity and I will continue to support you in the future!
I currently live in Ontario. If you are ever doing any fundraisers nearby I would be happy to help!
Take care,
