Making Waves for Autism

I'm the founder of an event called Making Waves for Autism. I'm really proud to share that almost $46,000 was raised for Autism Canada in 2024 through the event!
 
My inspiration for doing this is my cousin, Tyler, who passed away last August.
 
Tyler was just a year older than me and left behind a wife and young son, who is on the Autism Spectrum.  It was very unexpected and devastating to anyone who knew him.  He had a heart and soul that was larger than life.
 
One of the things Tyler was most passionate about was raising funds and awareness for autism.  His goal had been to create a charity boxing event in support of Autism Canada.  Sadly, he passed before being able to do this.
 
To honour Tyler, I’ve decided to fulfil his goal, albeit with a different sport (since I clearly won’t be taking up boxing!)
 
During the month of March, I rowed and paddled a total of 365km, culminating on April 2, which is World Autism Day. 
 
Why 365km? I specifically chose this distance to represent the 365 days a year that autism impacts our neurodivergent loved ones.
 
But, just as autism doesn’t simply end, neither will this event.  Although this year was about honouring my cousin, I'm expanding this in 2025 and am already in the process of building out a larger scale event, so that Tyler’s legacy can live on forever and we can improve outcomes for those on the autism spectrum.

Learn more

In the media

Kelowna kayaker raises over $45k in Making Waves for Autism, Kelowna Capital News
​Kelowna, B.C. woman to paddle, row 365 km for autism awareness, fundraising, Global News​
Kelowna woman ‘Making Waves’ to honour loved one and promote autism awareness, Kelowna Capital News
​Kelowna woman paddles for autism, Kelowna Now
​Kelowna woman raises over $20K for autism awareness, Castanet
Meet the Kelowna woman paddling hundreds of kilometres for a purpose, Kelowna 10 News 
​
Stay tuned!

www.makingwavesforautism.ca

Donate: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/autism-society-canada/p2p/Making-Waves-for-Autism-2024

Instagram: @MakingWavesForAutism
Twitter: @makingwavesASD
Youtube: @MakingWavesForAutism
Facebook: @MakingWavesForAutism