Family who set up non-profit for toddler who died of cancer earn charity status

A Greater Victoria family who began a non-profit organization called The Cure Starts Now – in honour of late three-year-old Liam Comboye – were approved for charity status in September 2021.

Liam died in October 2017 from a rare form of terminal brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

After his passing, Liam’s mom Cari Comboye and her sister Lindsay Walper were inspired to continue the search for a cure by aiding cancer research in Liam’s name.

Walper said charity status will allow them to offer tax donation receipts – a step that will increase the likelihood that people and businesses will be able to find them and donate to them.

“An anonymous person donated $85,000 to us, and that is huge – once you have a bank account over $100,000 you can actually contribute to research and help to trial different medicines and options,” said Comboye.

Walper said that one of Liam’s wishes before his passing was to help others.

“Helping people was his legacy,” added Comboye. “A piece of his tumour was donated to the DIPG registry and that was a hard decision but that’s what he wanted, was to help.”

Walper said that through their grief the biggest lessons they have learned is that asking for help when you need it, discussing grief openly, and giving back to the community, are the best ways to find solace amidst great loss.

To donate to The Cure Starts now visit canadahelps.org.

To contribute to research efforts in finding a cure for DIPG visit dipgregistry.org.

Cheques can be written out to: The Cure Starts Now Canada LTD and mailed to Cari Comboye, 2595 Wilcox Terrace, V8Z 7G5, Victoria, BC.

ALSO READ: Remembering Liam Comboye: Family to set up non-profit for toddler who died of cancer