The Vahanvaty family came to Canada in 2019 with a simple hope: to build a safe and stable life for their children. Like many newcomers, their early years were shaped by uncertainty, made even harder by the pandemic. Through resilience and determination, they slowly found their footing. They built careers, welcomed a second son, became Canadian citizens, and eventually moved into their first home.
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In the summer of 2025, everything changed. Their youngest son, Hassan, was diagnosed with cancer. In an instant, the rhythm of family life was replaced by hospital visits, treatments, and long stretches spent away from home. The diagnosis affected far more than Hassan alone. It reshaped daily life for the entire family.
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Hassan’s mother took an extended leave from work so she could remain by his side through treatment. His father began working remotely, balancing professional responsibilities with overnight hospital stays and the constant unpredictability that comes with caring for a seriously ill child. Their older son showed remarkable strength, often spending long periods without one or both parents as the family divided their time between home and the hospital.
Between frequent travel to SickKids and its satellite clinics, time away from work, and mounting household expenses, the financial strain quickly became overwhelming. The costs that families don’t always anticipate, utilities, housing payments, transportation, and day-to-day living expenses, became a heavy burden during an already emotional time.
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Through this difficult journey, the Vahanvaty family was introduced to the Tyler Robinson Foundation. The support they received helped ease the non-medical pressures of cancer, allowing the family to focus on what mattered most: being together and supporting Hassan through treatment. Despite the challenges they face, the Vahanvaty family continues to draw strength from one another and hold onto hope for healing and brighter days ahead.