This annual Metro Vancouver toy drive honours a boy's final holiday wish

An annual toy drive to honour a little boy’s holiday wish is happening once again in Surrey, and organizers have included virtual donations to make it easier for everyone across Metro Vancouver to support the important cause.

The 12th annual Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive is taking place until December 13. New, unwrapped toys for donation to BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice are being collected by Team Keain in memory of a loved son who passed away at the age of six after being diagnosed with leukemia.

Team Keian/Submitted

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“Keian was so full of compassion and wanted critically ill children to feel surrounded by the magic of the holiday season,” said Keian’s family in a release. “This wish is why we will continue to make a difference for and with him.”

An Amazon Wish List has also been created so supporters can shop online and have their donations for the children shipped directly to the organizers.

Team Keian/Submitted

In 2012, five-year-old Keian Grainger Blundell was diagnosed with T-cell acute
lymphoblastic leukemia. He responded well to treatment, and by August 2012, he was in remission. But a few months later in December, doctors informed Keian’s family that his leukemia had returned.

Keian’s greatest chance of a cure required intensive cranial and total body radiation. He also needed a bone marrow transplant.

In April 2013, Keian’s 10-month-old baby brother, Joren, underwent surgery to donate his bone marrow. Keian was in hospital isolation for two months.

After the operation, things appeared to get back to normal until July, when Keian returned to the hospital for a follow-up procedure. His family was then given the devastating news that his leukemia had returned for the second time in over 90% of his marrow.

In October, Keian was transferred to Canuck Place Hospice for end-of-life care.

Leading up to the Christmas holiday, all Keian wanted was to spend time with his loved ones. On Christmas morning, he woke up to his entire family next to him in Canuck Place.

“On the days leading up to his last Christmas, his decline was undeniable, and it was soon after that we felt we could no longer care for his complex care needs on our own,” said Keian’s family. “On New Year’s Day, our family returned to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. On January 1, 2014, Keian passed away in our loving arms.”

The little boy is remembered as being able to find “the silver lining in every cloud.”

Team Keian/Submitted

“He faced his challenges with bravery and encompassed wisdom far beyond his years. He rarely complained, whether pain, hair loss, or the many adversities children with a cancer diagnosis face. Despite his own battle, he was passionate about helping children and their families living with a childhood cancer diagnosis,” said Keian’s family.

Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive started in 2012 when he delivered gifts in a wagon to kids at BC Children’s Hospital. His main wish was that all children with life-threatening illnesses felt love and joy during the holiday season.

“We will always remember his own words that first Christmas he was diagnosed: ‘This is the best Christmas, EVER!’ This is what Keian wanted everyone to experience, especially these children with life-threatening illnesses. This is Keian’s Wish,” said his family.

In the 12 years since Keian’s Wish began, over 25,000 toys have been delivered to kids suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

His family will be collecting toys for BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice until December 13.

If you’d like to contribute, donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive

Items on Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive 2023 can also be purchased for donation from the Amazon Wish List.

For more information on how to help support Team Keian, reach out here.