About

My name is Brooke Lax and I am a 19 year old female and Queen’s University student, from Toronto, ON. Thank you for taking the time to join Packing a Smile on our mission and journey to pack smiles for children in hospital care, those who are enduring extensive medical care and treatment, as well as families impacted by close connection to youth illness. I started Packing a Smile in 2018, after carefully analyzing the lives' of Sick Kids patients who have had to make their hospital rooms their home. The purpose of this project is to collect games, toys, stuffed animals and activities in hopes of putting a smile on children’s faces. It has always been a passion of mine to give back to the less fortunate and give them a reason to be thankful for the life they have been given. After personal experiences of chronic medical conditions, SVT, anaphylaxis, EOE and numerous hospital stays, I became motivated at 12 years old to begin Packing a Smile as a way to give back to children and their families who have had to make the hospital their home.  

Since our inception in October 2018 and undertaking our first donation season, Packing a Smile has continued to grow, reaching numerous hospitals and organizations around Ontario. This includes Scarborough Health Network, Michael Garron Hospital, Mackenzie Health, Humber River Hospital, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer (OPACC), North York General Hospital, St. Catherine’s Hospital in Niagara, and more. Packing a Smile has also been fortunate enough to partake in various events for childhood cancer, host several children at a Toronto Maple Leafs game via the Ford Fan Deck, and conduct incredible partnerships with Build-A-Bear, Great Pretenders and more! Since 2018, Packing a Smile sustained its impact on numerous hospitals, families and patients, ensuring that the emotional challenge associated with long-lasting treatments are alleviated by Packing a Smile for those who could use one. Our ability to pack over 1000 bags annually is made possible by our incredible donors. With the support of various companies, Packing a Smile is able to fulfill our commitment to giving back to various hospitals and families. In each bag, we aim to have a book, some form of art/craft, stuffed animal, fidget/sensory toy, activity and a carefully, lovingly and thoughtfully designed post card with Packing a Smile information. 

I have recently joined on as a Sick Kids Patient Ambassador and Corporate Guest Speaker, further allowing me to share the impact that Sick Kids has had on my life, and how my medical experiences have taught me to challenge adversity and use it as an inciting factor for empowerment and resilience. As well, I have recently been recognized as a "Shining Star" by Project Give Back for my endeavours with Packing a Smile.