CELEBRATE
T im
Photo credit: Flytographer
the Gift of Life
, Ch
a rl i a
nd Y a sm yn e
in Ju
ly 202
5 , two
years af
ter Cha r
li's liver tr a
nsplant.
A Liver Named Axie:
SPRING 2026 | VOLUME 49 A Liver Named Axie: Charli's Fight for a Future
1
Message from the Chairman
2
Message from the CEO
2
Message from the SVP, Fund Development
3
Message from the Director of Family Relations
3
Charli's Transplant Journey Continued
4
Celebrating 40 Years of Impact!
6
Simon Keith Partnership Announcement
8
Board Spotlight: Gail Stephens
9
The Foundation Appoints New Public Relations Agency: MILK
9
Charli's Fight for a Future Charli was born on April 27, 2013. She lives with her parents in northwestern Ontario. In July 2023, everything changed for the family.
Charli TRANSPLANT NEEDED: LIVER HOME:
While enjoying a BBQ on their deck, her SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON parents noticed a slight yellow tinge in the corner of Charli’s eyes. Around the same time, Charli mentioned that she hadn’t had a bowel movement for four or five days and that her urine looked like dark tea. Before that evening, her mom had also noticed something unusual, Charli had been taking naps in the afternoons, something she rarely did unless she was unwell.
Thanks to Our 40th Anniversary Sponsons! 10
Concerned, her parents rushed her to the emergency room.
Green Shirt Day: Honouring the Gift of Life
11
Thank You to All Our Partners
11
April is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month
12
At first, the ER doctor suggested it might be a virus. But when Charli’s parents asked about the yellowish colour in her eyes, the doctor decided to run more tests.
212 HENRY ST., VICTORIA, BC V9A 3H9 OFFICE: 250.475.1223 FAX: 250.475.1193 TOLL FREE: 1.877.777.7675 DAVIDFOSTERFOUNDATION.COM
Charli’s condition progressed quickly. She was listed for a liver transplant at SickKids in Toronto on July 18, 2023. They had hoped Charli’s mom might be able to be a living donor, but unfortunately that was not possible. So the wait began for a liver offer. As the situation became more serious, there was increased attention from medical staff, sleepless nights, and growing frustration as uncertainty surrounded her condition. CONTINUES ON PAGE 4