COBDEN — Fourteen-year-old Tysen Lefebvre is on a mission. His mission is to raise $1 million.
For what you may ask? To grant 100 wishes for 100 children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In November 2012, Tysen had his wish come true through this foundation. The mission of Make-a-Wish Foundation is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Tysen was granted a wish because of his medical condition which is Pfeiffer Syndrome — a genetic disorder characterized by the premature fusion of certain skull bones. This early fusion prevents the skull from growing normally and affects the shape of the head and face. It also affects bones in the hands and feet.
Tysen’s wish was to meet Adam Sandler – and he did. In November 2012, he and his parents, Linda and Scott, flew to California and met the famous actor.
Tysen then decided it would be great if he could help other children have their wish come true. So, he thought, “$1,000 isn’t enough, I’ll raise a million.”
To raise the money, the Stittsville youngster sells a variety of things, such as raffle tickets, bracelets and t-shirts, and accepts donations.
He was at the Renfrew county Plowing Match on Saturday with family, as it was on the farm where one of his aunts, Christine (Afelskie) Rowe, grew up. She, along with other family members, set up the booth and by day’s end had raised $600.
Tysen has helped three children have their wishes granted. A young girl named Katie in Renfrew and a young child in Perth each received a hot tub, which helps ease the aches and pains from their physical disabilities, Ms. Rowe explained. A boy who lost limbs to a disease wants to make it onto the Olympic sledge hockey team. So, Tysen raised money and a sledge hockey rink was created in the boy’s basement, she added.
If you want to donate to Tysen’s Mission for a Million, or become a team member, go to his website, Tysen’s Mission to a Million. He has almost reached the $200,000 mark.
Tysen’s logo is a bulldog wearing a helmet. Why? The helmet represents the movie Waterboy, which he loves; the lime green colour of the helmet is because it’s his favourite colour; the bulldog represents Babu, Adam Sandler’s dog; and the star because he is raising money for Make-A-Wish.
