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Team Brother Bear donates to SickKids in Austin's name by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 17 | Thursday, January 21, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com No matter where former Oakville resident Addison Brasil goes, the Team Brother Bear (TBB) name follows. As an actor and choreographer --as well as co-founder and chair of Oakville's TBB -- Brasil is constantly on the move, from Asia to the U.S., where he now lives. But TBB has remained a "big part" of the 27-year-old's life since its formation in 2008. Brasil's brother Austin died in 2008 after a lengthy battle with an inoperable brain tumour. Austin had been cared for at SickKids. Team Brother Bear was started in Austin's memory. Brasil said many people he's met abroad have been touched by the group's story and donated to its cause. Contributions have poured in from Asia and the U.S. "They got to know me, the story and found out what Team Brother Bear was. Team Brother Bear really did start out as a young group of individuals who were surrounding my brother (Austin) at the time," said Brasil. "As our careers have grown and we have gone on with life, the reach has also spread. It's a beautiful thing to see this money coming in from all over. People just want to help." Some of the donations supported TBB's sixth annual Holiday Mission, which partnered with the SickKids Foundation to deliver gifts to families caring for children with brain tumours at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. Eight families received more than $8,000 in presents at SickKids just ahead of the holidays, while the Toronto hospital's b.r.a.i.n.child family fund received a $9,400 cheque from the Oakville non-profit organization. "There's no greater gift than the support of what Austin wanted to do when we started the charity. That's really become my Christmas gift each year in the wake of what we lost as a family," said Brasil. "It really echoes my brother in a lot of ways. It's a really nice thing for the team and for our family to be able to continue." SickKids refers families with children suffering from a brain tumour to TBB, which then puts together packages of clothing, grocery, gas and health gift cards, as well as presents, for the hospital to give out each year. Families also receive a memorymaker certificate, which affords them to go to dinner and watch a movie. "Our team makes lists based on a budget and we get gifts, necessities, clothing. It's based on what the hospital suggests we can get to help each family," said Brasil. He said there was also a lot of "above and beyond requests" this year because support systems for the families fell short. "Sometimes the aboveand-beyond requests are bigger. Sometimes families don't have a computer. Each family, based on where they shop and their necessities, we will get special gift packages," said Brasil. Through fundraising for research and support, TBB makes a positive impact in the lives of children diagnosed with brain tumours. The organization was founded in memory of Austin, who always had an interest in helping others, Brasil said. "He saw other patients and what our family had to do in order to support him fully in his journey. My mom left work to care for him full-time. He saw those realities," said Brasil. The "unique thing" about TBB is that it is one of only a handful of organizations that focuses on family support with its fundraising, according to Brasil. Most of its contributions are given to the b.r.a.i.n.child family fund, a volunteer network that both provides support and education to families and children affected by brain tumours, as well as funding research. "We have a special relationship with them (SickKids) because Austin was there for many years. We saw first-hand what families are going through and what they need." "The Holiday Mission started as a way to directly support families through our relationship at SickKids and make a positive impact over the holiday season." For more information about the charity, visit www. teambrotherbear.ca. Team Brother Bear carries on support of SickKids in Oakville youth Austin Brasil's memory. | submitted photo Varicose Veins? TireD acHY LeGs? skin DiscoLoraTion? swoLLen FeeT or ankLes? n g i s a it's For information on how compression can help, stop by one of our locations to speak with a certified fitter (always free of charge), or visit us online www.thebracingexperts.com Oakville Burlington 380 Dundas St. E. 3350 Fairview St. T: 905.257.4335 T: 905.637.4335 SOLD 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville · 905-257-5880 905-257-5880 maximekitchens.ca maximekitchens.ca