Brantford boy, 11, raises $18,000 for children’s hospital

Eleven-year-old Cash Foran sold gallons of lemonade over the past year.

The fundraising extraordinaire also hawked yard sale treasures, collected bottles and cans, sold bracelets and Christmas ornaments, helped run an auction, and gathered money from family and friends.

The Grade 5 student at Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys Catholic Elementary School in Brantford set an ambitious goal last June to raise $10,000 for McMaster Children’s Hospital.

“They saved my life so I think I should save other babies’ lives,” he said.

But Cash said he wasn’t sure he’d reach his target.

“Not once did we tell him it wasn’t an obtainable goal,” said Cash’s mom Tracy. “But we said it would be hard work.”

When every dime, quarter and loonie was tallied, Cash turned over $18,232 to McMaster at the MacKids Walk and Wheel fundraiser last weekend.

It made him the event’s top fundraiser and earned Cash and his family a prize of roundtrip tickets to anywhere in North America.

“He wanted to go to Philadelphia,” said Cash’s mom Tracy with a laugh. “He’s a big Eagles fan. I told him, ‘I’ll drive you there tomorrow. Pick another place.’”

The Forans are headed to Hawaii in August.

“We’re so, so proud of him,” said Tracy.

When Cash was born at McMaster 11 weeks premature, there was no guarantee he’d leave the hospital.

Just 2.5 pounds, he spent three months in the neonatal intensive care unit. He required blood transfusions and a platelet transfusion to fight off infections, which led to sepsis. He required help to breathe and had surgery to repair a hernia.

“We spent months living in that hospital wondering if he would come home,” said Tracy. “I watched so many babies die. I knew when we walked out of there I’d have to do something to pay them back. I wanted Cash to know the care he got saved his life.”

True to that promise, the family, including Cash’s dad, Quentin, began their fundraising efforts for McMaster Children’s Hospital in 2015. To date, they have contributed just a few dollars short of $32,000.

This year, Cash was selected to be a Champion for the Children’s Miracle Network, which raises money for children’s hospitals across Canada. As a representative for McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation, his face is on posters at area Walmart stores.

Tracy said she has watched her shy, humble son grow more confident as he fulfills his duties for the Miracle Network and raised cash for the cause.

“He never talks about what he’s doing. He loves every minute of it but he told me it’s not something you brag about.”

Active and healthy, Cash plays soccer, takes swimming lessons and is learning the drums. Tracy said the family intends to continue supporting McMaster Hospital with a couple larger annual events.

“I want to thank the Brantford community,” she said. “A lot of donations from the lemonade sales and yard sales came from complete strangers.

“I hope when Cash is old enough to take this on himself, he’ll continue to do it and teach his own children about giving.”