CALEDONIA — The Steven Young Trust Fund (SYTF), a local charitable fundraiser that supports worthwhile community groups and individuals, will certainly be on Santa’s nice list this year after donating a whopping $175,000 to McMaster Children’s Hospital.
SYTF Treasurer Roland Craig said the donation, made on Monday, November 25, 2024, represented the single largest donation made in the 35-year history of SYTF.
On the origins of SYTF, Craig explained, “In 1987, Steven Young was just 12 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Over the course of his two-year treatment journey, doctors had recommended an experimental drug not yet approved by Health Canada. This would have a large financial impact on his parents, Ron and Kathy Young.”
Craig said that when the Caledonia community heard about the family’s struggles, many individuals began reaching out to make personal contributions, while local community groups leapt into action with a flurry of fundraising activity on a weekend back in September 1989.
Young, aware of the fundraising by his community, made a wish that any unused funds raised would help others in the same situation, including those in need but not covered by OHIP.
“Steven passed away that very weekend,” recalled Craig.
Steven’s passing has since inspired decades of fundraising.
Craig said that fund has helped “so many children and adults over the years,” and that donations both large and small began rolling in once the fund was established as a registered charity in June 2020. One of their largest fundraisers takes place each Canada Day, with a Rubber Duck Race along the Grand River in Caledonia.
“The Trust approached McMaster Children’s Hospital to see if they could contribute to any special projects they had in the works,” said Craig on the most recent donation.
Steven had attended treatments at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Craig added, “Since a majority of children in Haldimand-Norfolk go to McMaster for care and treatments, it seemed fitting to make a significant donation here.”
From the donated funds, $150,000 will be applied to a new Pediatric Oncology-Pharmacy Satellite Chemotherapy Suite.
“This is an on-site pharmacy that directly services patients and providers within the 3F Pediatric Oncology Clinic. Patients can be seen by their medical team, undergo various medical procedures, complete bloodwork, and receive their chemotherapy all in one space,” explained Craig. “The addition of this Pharmacy Satellite Chemotherapy Suite inside this clinic will reduce wait times for patients substantially, in some cases by as much as 50%. This generous donation has put McMaster to within $150,000 of their goal of $3.2 million dollars for this project.”
The remaining $25,000 donated by SYFT will go into McMaster Children’s Hospital’s Patient Assistance Fund, which helps thousands of families each year that need access to short-term assistance while their children are in care.
“This includes support for things like transportation, parking, and meal costs, etc.,” said Craig.
He concluded, “Steven’s story and the ongoing work of the Steven Young Trust through personal donations and duck race ticket sales are reminders of the positive impact that love, support, and community spirit can have in the face of adversity.”
For more information, visit The Steven Young Trust website at stevenyoungtrustfund.com. To donate directly to McMaster, visit
childrenshospitals.ca/childrens-hospitals/mcmaster-childrens-hospitalfoundation/.
