Eleven-Year-Old Taking a Bite Out Of Children’s Suffering

Aaron Maresky proves that philanthropy can start at a young age.

Every so often, someone comes along and truly makes a difference.

Aaron Maresky is one of those rare individuals.

Despite his youth, 11-year-old Aaron has the vision, compassion and drive usually associated with the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, combined with the savvy, generosity and skills of a major philanthropist.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and that’s very much the case with the youngster’s initiative Aaron’s Apple which, last year alone raised over $200,000 to prevent chronically ill children from suffering when their families can’t afford the medical treatment they need.

“When I was 7 years old, I was taken to the hospital with terrible stomach aches,” recalls Aaron, a happy, bright and perpetually smiling youngster. “No one knew what was going on with me, and I was very sore. It was very painful for me to eat or drink. I stayed in the hospital for two weeks with many needles and tubes put everywhere. Sometimes it was really sore and very scary for me. Finally, the doctors told me I had Crohn’s disease, which made my tummy sore. I tried many medicines to make me feel better, but nothing worked. I missed three months of school, and I lost 30 pounds.”

Fortunately for Aaron, his family carried insurance that paid for his medicine – administered every 6 to 8 weeks by infusion – at the hefty cost of more than $40,000 a year.

“If I did not have access to this medicine, I could still be very sick,” says Aaron. “Every time I went to the hospital, I would give a donation to make other children feel better.”

It was then, while making donations to other children’s charities, that Aaron got the idea for Aaron’s Apple.

“I decided to start a charity that would help families that couldn’t afford expensive medications,” says the pint-sized philanthropist.

Aaron’s Apple was born from the belief that every child has the right to experience a happy and pain-free life; and that every parent has the right to raise their child in a dignified manner.

The primary goal of Aaron’s Apple, which is a registered charity under the auspices of Chai Lifeline Canada, is to assist families cope with overwhelming medical costs, as well as the stress that goes with those costs. In their time of need, Aaron’s Apple helps families pay for expensive medication, treatments and patient amenities.

Aaron’s Apple is proud to provide direct funding to SickKids Patient Amenities Fund, which provides assistance to families dealing with the financial burden of a child’s illness.

In just 2 short years of existence, Aaron’s Apple is proving to be a valuable resource, with over $200,000 raised through community events, fundraisers and its annual Caring to the Core Gala, which will be taking place on March 2, 2013 at The Warehouse in Downsview.

Aaron's parents, Mandy and Neil Maresky, are understandably extremely proud of their son, and his incredible fundraising efforts.

“Aaron has reached out to help so many people who aren't as lucky as he is, and, as a result, he turned a negative situation into something so positive, that is benefitting so many,” said Mandy. “Our entire family could not be prouder of Aaron.”

Thanks to the brainchild and creativity of Aaron Maresky, children suffering from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic pediatric diseases are enjoying happier, pain-free lives, as all children should.

For sponsorship opportunities or to donate, please visit www.aaronsapple.com, or contact Mandy Maresky at 416.835.6302 or visit mandy@aaronsapple.com

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