A warm fuzzy hug from a furry friend.
IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED FOR CHILDREN BATTLING SERIOUS ILLNESS OR TRAUMA.
Bringing sunshine to kids on their cloudiest days!
Comfort Bears provides cuddly bears for children with terminal illness or experiencing serious trauma. Having a bear to hold onto makes a big difference for a child going through difficult times in their young lives.
Comfort Bears are affixed with a tag providing the name of the individual or group donating this special friend.
Bears are provided to hospitals, first responders and community organizations who gift the bears to children in need.
We're on a very cuddly mission!
Our mission is to provide Comfort Bears as a symbol of well-being for children experiencing treatments for serious illnesses or trauma to lessen their anxiety and stress.
Our Vision:
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We believe that providing children receiving invasive treatment with a symbol of comfort will lessen the stress associated with their illness or trauma.
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We believe in interacting with children and their families in a non-stigmatizing, impactful and inclusive manner ensuring dignity.
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We believe in collaborative partnerships with volunteers, hospitals, first responders, businesses and funders to collectively support children and their families.
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We believe that by maintaining the highest standards, we can provide a valuable service through transparency and fiscal accountability
We are so proud to partner with the following organizations, who ensure our beautiful bears are placed into the loving arms of a child in need
Bob Kemp Hospice Juravinski Hospital Hamilton
Cancer Assistance Program Kristen French Centre for Child Advocacy
Children's Aid Foundation Halton Lighthouse for Grieving Children
Children's Aid Foundation Kenora London Children's Hospital
Children's Aid Foundation London McMaster Children's Hospital
Children's Aid Foundation Peel Nanny Angel Network
Darling Home for Kids Native Women's Centre: Hamilton
Halton Police: Victim Services Niagara Children's Centre
Hamilton Police: Victim Services Ronald McDonald House Hamilton
Hospice Niagara Wellspring Cancer Centre
Interval House Hamilton
2140 Bears... and counting!
Comfort Bear
and Illness
Comfort Bears are provided to children with serious illness helping shift the child’s focus from the stress and anxiety of treatments to a more comforting experience. The bear can serve as a teaching tool the doctor can use to explain procedures and treatments so that they are not so scary for our young superheroes.
Rather than their primary memory being needles and fear, we hope they recall the moment they were introduced to their new stuffed friend who helped them through their challenges. It symbolizes their strength and resiliency managing, for some, excruciatingly difficult medical interventions.
Comfort Bears and
Community Organizations
For children facing trauma from a serious vehicle collision,
child abuse, home violence or a death in the family, Comfort
Bear shifts the child’s focus from the stress and anxiety of
the moment, to comfort. Often, the child is unable to process
or express their feelings surrounding the gravity of the trauma
surrounding them.
$20 Provides a lifelong Teddy Friend for a child in need
We are 100% managed by volunteers so every dollar donated is used to purchase bears for our program. Best of all, your donation will place one of our loving bears into the arms of a child in need.
We couldn't support so many children without a caring community!
Thank you to our sponsors for joining us on our journey bringing happiness to some very brave and special kids.
Team Comfort Bear
Kelli Bugden
Vice Chair
Lena Bassford
Founder and Board Chair
Nancy Guzzo
Secretary Treasurer
Debb Fioravanti
Director
Nicole Martin
CHCH TV Reporter
Comfort Bears Program Ambassador
Want to get in on this warm + fuzzy initiatve?
As we are 100% volunteer based, it best to reach us by email for additional information how you can support Comfort Bears.
EMAIL: lena@comfortbears.ca
905 - 921 - 1281
Charitable # 782530547 RR0001
Introducing Comfort Bear
The 12” bears are super soft, cuddly and of the highest quality and are provided for little and big kids ages 1 - 18 years in need of a cozy hug and some comfort..
Comfort Bears are purchased wholesale through a Canadian distributor. The cost for each bear is $25 with 100% of the cost donated by individuals, groups and businesses who share our passion for this service.