In a kindness crossover the world needs, one kid doing amazing work in Greater Victoria discovered another and is doubling down in support of a clinical trials hub for kids in B.C.
Felix Townsin has a remarkably long history of philanthropy for a 14-year-old.
His little sister Lexi died in 2019, just shy of her seventh birthday, of complications related to the rare genetic disorder Blau Syndrome. He was 9. When he was five, Felix wrote the book Don't Floss Your Toes, as a fundraiser for Blau syndrome (early onset sarcoidosis) and juvenile arthritis endeavours. The last of years, the Esquimalt teen has spread kindness in Lexi’s honour, most recently with the A Million Acts of Love campaign that inspired 1,016,012 acts of love worldwide by Dec. 16, 2024, which would have been Lexi’s 12th birthday.
Simon Hoskins, 8, and his family – including twin sister Isabel and older brother Spencer – embarked on a similar venture, raising funds and awareness of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) Type IV, or Morquio. The Oak Bay boy lives with the rare progressive genetic disease.
Just ahead of the holidays, Felix heard about Simon and his latest missing to fund the Clinical Trials Super Hub at BC Children’s Hospital, according to A Million Acts of Love social media post.
“Inspired to help, Felix asked if Lexi’s A Million Acts of Love Tree could support Simon’s incredible project,” the post reads. “Now, every donation to Lexi’s tree helps kids like Simon access life-saving clinical trials – bringing hope to families like ours. This new hub for clinical trials will bring hope to so many.”
A Million Acts of Love tree is in the Top 10 of nearly 100 fundraising trees gracing the Bay Centre in Victoria to support BC Children’s Hospital.
Since the Bay Centre started hosting the annual display in 2015, it has generated over $1.4 million in critical funds for the most urgent needs at BCCH. The goal this year is to raise $100,000 and hit that $1.5 million mark. The festival runs until Jan. 5, 2025.
Visit curemps.ca and lexislegacy.com to learn more about both Greater Victoria families’ ongoing efforts.
