When Maddison was born her father was dying of ALS. She helped care for him; feeding, fetching and most importantly making him laugh. When he was voiceless, she made his eyes smile. She also helped with her little brother while bravely managing her own childhood. At age 6 her Dad died.

At age 12 Maddison was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma. She underwent 11 months of chemotherapy, surgery and weeks of daily radiation.

A highlight in the midst of this extremely difficult time - Maddison was given a wish from the Children’s Wish Foundation - anything she wanted. Maddison said no thanks to a Disney cruise for herself, her brother Derek and her mom, Sharon. No thanks to the $5,000 shopping spree. No thanks to the giant plasma screen TV. Maddie wanted to make a wish with meaning, one that would last. Maddison became aware of the plight of children in Africa who lived in severe poverty when she watched TV during her frequent hospital stays. She then decided to use her wish to make a difference and build a school there. Read more

Charity run keeps Maddie's wish alive

Posted on October 17, 2011

John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator

(May 28, 2008) Take a run, have some fun and learn a little Swahili while helping fund school supplies for kids in Kenya. That's the idea behind M.A.D. 4 Maddie, a five-kilometre fun run and interactive African experience Saturday at Pier 8 at the foot of James Street North. The activities honour the memory of Maddie Babineau, the 15-year-old Hamilton girl who died last May after a three-year fight with a rare form of cancer. Babineau gave away her Children's Wish Foundation wish to get almost anything she wanted, and asked to build a school in Kenya. Then she successfully set about raising money for a well beside the school so children could attend classes and still fulfil their water-hauling chores for their families. Babineau's mother, Sharon Babineau, says the idea behind the run is to have fun and see a little of what life among the Masai in Kenya is all about. There will be activity stations where participants can face versions of challenges that are part of daily life in the region. "We believe this will be the first of many M.A.D. (Making a Difference) runs," she said. Registration for the run is at Pier 8 starting at 8 a.m. The run (or walk, if you like) starts at 9 a.m. There will be activities and speakers -- including representatives of Free The Children, the organization that built the school Babineau requested -- until about noon. Anyone looking for eats can stroll into the first Hamilton Waterfront Wingfest, going on at Pier 8 at the same time. Organizers of the M.A.D. run would like participants to donate or bring in $30 in sponsorships, because $30 will buy a year's worth of school supplies for a Kenyan child. For more information, see the website at maddieswishproject.com or call 905-389-8046. jburman@thespec.com 905-526-2469

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2011 RUN

Posted on April 15, 2011

On Saturday, May 28th 2011 we will celebrate Maddie’s legacy by holding the 4th annual M.A.D. 4 MADDIE event.
Pledge Form - Craig Keilburger is pleased to offer a spot at the Toronto Take Action Academy this summer to the participant who raises the most money for MAD4MADDIE.

You can download and print the form here Click Here to download Form 1 and Click Here to download Form 2.
Checques must be made payable to M-A-D 4 MADDIE. Please bring all your pledge money and this form to the event. Photocopy this form for additional pledges. Keep a photocopy of the pledge form submission for your records. A tax receipt will be issued by Free the Children for donations of $10.00 or more, but only if the donor's name, address and postal code are printed clearly.