VAUGHAN, Mar. 4, 2025 – The Carley’s Angels Foundation celebrated its 10-Year Legacy Gala, a milestone event honouring a decade of hope, resilience, and giving back. The gala took place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at The Venetian in Vaughan, Ontario marking a significant moment in the foundation’s history.
Hosted by Adam Wylde, the renowned radio host and CEO of SDPN Sports, the Legacy Gala was an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, connection, and entertainment. Wylde, a dynamic force in Canadian media, brought his signature warmth and charisma to the event, which honored the life and legacy of Carley Allison, whose courageous battle against cancer inspired the foundation’s mission.
Carley’s Legacy
The gala featured a special tribute to Carley’s legacy, red carpet entrances with special guests, exciting silent auctions, and opportunities for attendees to meet individuals whose lives have been transformed through the foundation’s work. All proceeds from the event went directly to Carley’s Angels programs and initiatives.
Carley Allison’s story is one of determination, poise, and an unwavering commitment to “always smile” – a mantra that became the title of the book documenting her remarkable journey. Carley’s battle with cancer began in February 2013 when she was rushed to the emergency room, unable to breathe, and given an emergency tracheotomy. Initially misdiagnosed with sports-induced asthma, Carley had been skating competitively for over two years with an undetected and aggressive cancer in her trachea.
Clear-cell sarcoma
Her diagnosis was later revealed to be a 1-in-3.5 billion clear-cell sarcoma, making her only the second case in the history of modern medicine. Despite this devastating news, Carley’s indomitable spirit shone through. She graciously donated her hair to make wigs for other cancer patients before beginning her chemotherapy regimen.
Singer – Songwriter, model
Carley’s talents extended far beyond her battle with cancer. She was a singer-songwriter, fashion model, pianist, guitarist, and a decorated competitive figure skater with Olympic aspirations. Her courage in the face of adversity captured hearts worldwide when Selena Gomez shared one of Carley’s YouTube videos, where she sang with her tracheotomy, to her 15 million “Selenators” fans.
O Canada
Even as her cancer spread in the fall of 2014, Carley continued to inspire. She delivered an impassioned rendition of “O Canada” at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation’s Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer event. On November 1, 2014, she stunned the crowd at the Air Canada Centre, singing the national anthem with her reconstructed trachea at the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer Game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Riley Allison, Executive Director and sister of Carley, reflected on the gala’s significance: “This gala was not only a celebration of what we’ve accomplished in the past ten years but also a chance to look ahead at what we can achieve together. Carley’s spirit continues to guide us in our work, and we are so grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.”
Carley’s Angels Foundation
Founded in 2015 to honor Carley Allison, the Carley’s Angels Foundation has dedicated itself to bridging the gap between traditional and holistic cancer care. The foundation ensures that no patient has to choose between quality of care and quality of life, working tirelessly to create access to integrative cancer care for all patients while spreading Carley’s contagious message of “always smile.”
Carley’s inspiring story has reached even wider audiences through the Netflix feature film “Kiss and Cry,” further cementing her legacy. The foundation’s commitment to its cause is evident in its financial structure, with 99 cents out of every dollar raised going directly to cancer-related treatments. Millions of dollars have been raised by the charity since its inception.
As the gala concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and hope, inspired by Carley’s enduring legacy and the foundation’s decade-long commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients and their families.
contributed by David Gordon
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