We believe that in order to promote and fund further research on brain tumors, we need to bring more awareness to brain cancer and its many forms. One of the best ways we can do this is by engaging our community through fundraisers. Learn about our various fundraisers and events below, and be sure to check out our stories in the news!
Our fundraisers
Never Back Down
We host our annual ‘Never Back Down’ fundraiser in support of brain cancer research and awareness every year around November 15, in honor of Taite's birthday. The proceeds go towards funding critical brain tumor research. Learn more about our annual event and check out our photo gallery.
Learn more Brain Tumour Walk
Every year, we participate in the Brain Tumour Walk, a national movement to end brain tumors. Learn more about this event and our foundation's contributions, and check out our photo gallery.
Learn more Silent Auction & Dinner
On May 21, 2014, we held a Silent Auction & Dinner and raised over $8000 towards brain tumor research and awareness.
Learn more Street Hockey Tournament
On July 19, in partnership with our friend Chris Mackie, we held a 4 on 4 Street Hockey Tournament and succeeded in raising $1600 for brain cancer research and awareness.
Learn more In our honour
We are very blessed to have such an amazing group of supporters. Over the years, our friends have held various fundraisers in honor of Taite and our foundation. Read about them below.
In April of 2015, the grade three students at Hillview Elementary School were chosen by The Learning Partnership to participate in a program called “The Entrepreneurial Adventure.” The students chose a charity to support and we are so honored that they selected the Taite Boomer Foundation.
The students conducted market research to determine what products they would sell and how much their customers would be willing to pay. They decided to sell homemade yogurt parfaits along with our ‘Never Back Down’ wristbands. The students named their business “Boomerang” and created an amazing logo inspired by our logo. They applied for positions within their company including marketing, sales, management, and finance.
On May 22, 2015, the students attended the Entrepreneurial Adventure Showcase at Edmonton City Hall to celebrate their success. We are very pleased to announce that their “Boomerang” business sold 97 yogurt parfaits and made a profit of $350.28, which they proudly donated to the Taite Boomer Foundation.
We would like to give a huge THANK YOU to Leslie Campbell, Suzie Headge and the grade three students at Hillview School for the thought, time and effort they put into their wonderful business plan and for helping us raise awareness and funds for brain cancer research. It was our honor to be invited to the cheque presentation ceremony held at the school on June 9, 2015. Thank you, Hillview, for helping us in the fight against brain cancer!
On September 12, 2014, Action Flooring held their 6th Annual Charity Fundraiser and we were so fortunate to be the charity of their choice. The day began with a golf tournament at Riverside Golf Course and was followed by a BBQ After Party at a private residence where there were drinks, food trucks, games and a silent auction. We had a great time and we would like to give a huge thank you to Action Flooring for raising over $8,700 to fund future brain cancer research! Special thanks to the Reid Family for their generosity and hospitality.
We would like to thank Danny for participating in The Ride to Conquer Cancer on August 10, 2013, in honor of Taite Boomer. All of the money he raised for his ride went towards brain cancer research in memory of Taite. You can read an article in The Calgary Journal about Danny’s Enbridge ride here.
We would like to congratulate Danny for in raising over $6,000!
In February of 2013, the Taite Boomer Foundation was contacted by a group of high school students who had created their own company through the Junior Achievement Company Program. As part of their business plan, they wished to donate some of their profits to our foundation. The BYOBag Company also contributed to our foundation by sharing information about our cause with their customers.
The BYOBag Company was named Alberta’s Junior Achievement 2013 ‘Company of the Year’ and donated $230 to the Taite Boomer Foundation! We would like to thank the students for their support and would like to congratulate them on their award.
For the month of November 2012, the Edmonton MOrauders Moustache Club, made up of a handful of Taite’s friends, participated in Movember in honor of Taite. Together as a team, these men raised over $3,900!
Although the funds raised through Movember go towards men’s heath, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives, these men are still fighting cancer. Cancer is cancer and if we can find a cure for one type, we can find a cure for all. We would like to thank the Edmonton MOrauders for participating in this years’ Movember in memory of Taite.
In August of 2012, Blue Gemini Hair Studio began a fundraiser to help Taite Boomer and his family with brain cancer treatment and therapy costs. After Taite passed away, the focus of the fundraiser shifted to raising money for anaplastic astrocytoma research and awareness. Between August 25 and September 29 of 2012, proceeds from all scalp and deep conditioning treatments (which range from $25 to $60 each) went towards brain tumor research and awareness.
Blue Gemini Hair Studio and their very talented stylists succeeded in raising over $3,500! We would like to give a special thanks to all the clients who participated in the fundraiser, as well as the studio staff for their help and support. Taite’s girlfriend Katelyn, who was Head Salon Coordinator at Blue Gemini at the time, would like to give a special to her amazing management and colleagues for their love and support during such a difficult time.
In the news
Jame Rajotte’s Member’s Statement
November 29, 2013 (The House of Commons )
Watch James Rajotte, MP for Edmonton-Leduc, give a Member’s Statement at The House of Commons about Taite Boomer and “the legacy that lives on in his name”—the Taite Boomer Foundation. Thank you, Mr. Rajotte, for the kind words and for helping us raise awareness about brain tumors.
Taite’s Story: One Family’s Hope for the Future
February 20, 2013
On February 20, the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada published a story on Taite’s battle with brain cancer. The article summarizes Taite’s life, focusing on his eight-month long fight with a brain tumor and details how Taite’s family and friends are using the Taite Boomer Foundation to raise awareness of, and funds for research on brain tumors.
We would like to give a special thanks to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada for all of their help and support.
Fighting Cancer Helps Fight Grief
Chris Zdeb, Edmonton Journal
On May 20, 2013, the Edmonton Journal ran an article about how Taite’s story inspired his family and friends to create the Taite Boomer Foundation. The article focused on Taite’s fight with a brain tumor and how we used our grief to drive forward our fight against brain cancer. The article also mentioned our various fundraisers, including Rémi Lafleche’s ‘Rock with a Mohawk’ fundraiser, the 2013 Spring Sprint and our funding of the 2013-2014 Brain Tumour Research Studentship.
Donor Recognition Service
April 25, 2013 (Lister Conference Centre, University of Alberta)
As a part of the Organ and Tissue Appreciation Month, the Human Organ Procurement and Exchange (HOPE) Program held their Donor Recognition Service for the families of those whose organs saved the lives of others. The ceremony, while emotional, made the donor families feel that their gift was truly appreciated. The speakers and presentations clearly portrayed the sincerity of the recipient families. Each donor family was presented with a Medal of Honor and a beautiful keepsake box.
As many of you may know, Taite saved two lives on the day he died. His liver went to one man, while his heart and lungs went to another man who would have died had he not received a heart and lungs from the same donor. We hope that these two people will go on to inspire others to consider organ donation and Taite may indirectly save even more lives.
Please share your wishes for organ donation with your family and fill in your Alberta Health Care card. For more information on organ and tissue donation, and to find out how you can register to be an organ and tissue donor, please visit the registry.
Parent’s Hell: Seemingly healthy son lost battle with cancer
Dave Lazzarino, Edmonton Sun
On March 4, 2012, the Edmonton Sun ran an article about Taite’s story, focusing on the difficulties Taite endured during his battle with a brain tumor and how his passing influenced the creation of the Taite Boomer Foundation. The story also describes how Taite saved the lives of others through organ donation.