When people ask me about my recovery, I don’t start by talking about myself. I start by talking about Helen.

Helen Danakas is the coordinator of William Osler Health System’s Withdrawal Management Centre. For years, she and her team welcomed me back whenever I needed help—without judgment, without giving up, and without ever losing hope that one day things would be different.

Over the years, I returned to Osler’s Withdrawal Management Centre many times. Each time, the team saw an opportunity to help me take the next step.

Helen often says, “You never know when that moment clicks. If we weren’t here for Dawn all those times, what would the end result have been?”

That is what makes Osler’s Withdrawal Management Centre so important.

Recovery is rarely a straight line. For some people, it takes time. There can be setbacks, difficult days, and moments when hope feels out of reach.

Osler’s team understands that.

They see the person behind the addiction—a parent, a sibling, a neighbour, a friend. And they continue to offer care, encouragement, and a path forward, whether someone is coming through their doors for the first time or returning after another setback. For me, that meant having somewhere to turn when I needed it most.

That compassion changed my life.

After one of my darkest moments, I decided to try one more time.

With the support of Osler’s team, I entered treatment, found a safe place to continue my recovery, and slowly began rebuilding my life.

Today, I have a home I love. I’ve been reunited with my family and my beloved cat, Charlie. I work helping others in my community, volunteer at my church, and continue attending recovery meetings every week.

Most importantly, I have hope.

I didn’t get here by myself.

My family stood by me. And the staff at Osler stood by me, too. They kept showing up for me—even during the times when I wasn’t sure I could show up for myself.

Every year, more than 1,500 people turn to Osler’s Withdrawal Management Centre looking for hope. Some arrive frightened.

Some are in crisis. Some simply need someone to believe they are worth another chance.

Your support helps strengthen addiction and mental health services across our communities, ensuring more people have access to compassionate withdrawal management care, expert teams, and a place to begin their journey toward recovery.

Your generosity will help ensure that when someone reaches out for help, they find expert care, compassionate professionals, and a team that will stand beside them—however many times they need to walk through the door.

Recovery doesn’t always happen the first time.

Sometimes it happens because someone cared enough to keep opening the door.

Osler kept opening that door for me. Today, I’m asking you to help keep it open for someone else.

Please make a gift today. Until October 31, Iris and David Nava will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000—doubling your impact for people who need compassionate care, encouragement, and hope.

Thank you for believing that everyone deserves another chance

With heartfelt gratitude,

Dawn H.