Industry Rallies to Save Baby Chloe
nabs Canada launches 20:20 Call to Action Campaign to Save Baby Chloe
Toronto, ON – March 4, 2020
Today, nabs Canada announces the launch of a new campaign to raise critical life-saving funds to save baby Chloe.
Born August 2019, Chloe was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SPA) which affects a child’s ability to crawl, walk, sit up and control head movements, and impacts the muscles used for breathing and swallowing. There is no cure. There is, however, a gene therapy treatment Zolgensma which has been highly effective in treating SMA. Unfortunately, it has not yet been approved in Canada, and it could take several years for approval. Chloe cannot wait this long. Zolgensma is only available in the US and it comes with a huge price tag. At $2.8M, Zolgensma is the worlds’ most expensive drug. Without it, Chloe is not expected to live beyond the age of 2.
“The nabs community has a long history of helping one another in times of crisis, providing a customized circle of care”, stated Joan Brehl, nabs National Board Director, Allocations & Services Portfolio. “As the voice and champion of our industry’s human capital, we are appealing to the humanity of our community for their help. We are asking members of the media, marketing, production, and communications industry to please donate $20 and to share this important initiative with 20 friends”.
nabs Canada will donate $2020.00 to the fund. Donations can be made on the GoFundMe link below. #nabs2020 is the designated hashtag for social media. Watch for weekly updates on nabs various channels.
Currently in Toronto, a fundraising campaign to cover medical costs for another baby (Eva) with the same life-threatening medical condition, has been successful. As a result of extensive press coverage and social media support, the fund went viral and raised $1.5M for medical expenses.
“We need to make Chloe’s campaign go viral”, Ms. Brehl emphasized.
Cute Like Chloe’s GoFundMe account has raised$92,500 to date . A recent $120,000 donation by LIUNA (Labourers’ International Union of North America) members has brought her fund to just under $300,000. There are ongoing fundraisers being held for the family in their community.
Chloe’s mother, Leanne, works at Pattison Outdoor Advertising. “I was so relieved when Louise reached out, asking if she could help us get Chloe’s story out in our nabs community. Chloe’s diagnosis brought our family to its knees. We’ve tried so hard to raise the significant funds needed, and while we’ve had so much help and support so far, with fundraisers, and donations, we need more help to get Chloe’s voice heard and to drive donations.” Leanne further explained, “This is an extremely stressful and uncertain time for our family. With Chloe’s ongoing medical needs and appointments, we are quickly realizing time is running short, and we need help. It’s incredibly difficult to ask for help, so my heart leaped when nabs called offering to shoulder part of the fundraising stress and appeal to the industry I am so proud to be a part of. I can’t thank nabs enough. We love Chloe and want her to live.”
“When I heard about Chloe, I had to reach out, and see how we could help this family navigate this daunting and overwhelming situation,” said Louise Berube, Director Allocations & Services, nabs Canada. “I understand, given the work I do at nabs, and knew there must be some way to help them by rallying our wonderful and caring industry to help save Chloe’s life by raising the much-needed funds. The more viral her campaign goes, increases the chance for both babies to access this lifesaving medicine. My goal is to make the impossible, possible for this family. And with increased awareness, I maintain the hope that the Ontario and Canadian government, and Novartis will step up in some significant way, before it is too late.”
“Please take a minute out of your busy day to donate,” added Ms. Brehl “And let’s do what our industry does best, raise awareness and get the word out! Chloe and her family are counting on us”.
Press Inquiries:
Leanne Sousa Goncalo: gleanne@live.ca
Louise Berube: lberube@nabs.org
About nabs Canada
At nabs we put people first. Established in 1983, nabs is a national charity created to support the health, the well-being and the development of all individuals in the media, marketing, production, and communications industry. Over our 36-year history, nabs has assisted nearly 50,000 individuals and re-invested over $8 million in direct financial support. nabs programs and services are 100% funded through philanthropy thanks to the generous donations from individuals and corporations. Our goal is to be our industry’s charity of choice while being the voice and champion of our industry’s human capital. Our support-line is 1-888-355-5548.
