02/12/2026
Members of Mar Mari the Apostle Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association recently visited our Critical Care Unit (CCU) at the Brantford General Hospital to donate heartfelt mementos (photo keychains and vials that hold patient electrocardiogram strips) to the Three Wishes Project. While these items may seem small, they carry immense meaning for families navigating the most difficult moments of loss.
"The Three Wishes Project is designed to humanize the process of dying for patients with unrecoverable critical illness. By granting three personal wishes, the program celebrates lives and comforts grieving families through keepsakes and meaningful gestures. We encourage the community to bring forth donations like these," said Will Thomas-Boaz, Clinical Manager, CCU.
During the pandemic, when visiting was restricted, the community rallied with knitted and crocheted hearts to connect patients and families. Today, donations like these mementos continue that legacy of compassion, offering families something tangible to hold onto.
Kari Wilson, Executive Director, BCHS Foundation, shared, "Not only do these kind gestures provide comfort to families during an incredibly difficult time, but the Three Wishes program also supports CCU staff by having meaningful items readily available so they too can honour patient lives and recognize a family's loss. To ensure we can continue offering these meaningful items, the Foundation will also collect monetary donations to help fund their ongoing purchase."
Maryna Yaqoob, Youth President, Mar Mari the Apostle Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association, expressed, "Each year, youth from our organization are encouraged to participate in our annual — Mar Benyamin Shimun XXI, Patron Saint of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association Give Back — to their local communities as a living expression of faith, service, and unity."
Please visit bchsdonate.ca to donate to the program! 💙
