Make-A-Wish and community advocate Tysen Lefebvre passes away

A local community advocate who raised over $1 million for charity passed away on Christmas Day. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

Tysen Lefebvre, a community advocate that once raised $1 million for Make-A-Wish, passed away on Christmas Day, his family says.

In his obituary, the family said that Lefebvre passed away at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital surrounded by family on Dec. 25. He was 25 years old.

“Tysen was truly a miracle and a gift to everyone fortunate enough to cross his path,” the statement reads.

Lefebvre was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2, a rare genetic condition that causes skull bones to fuse prematurely. He worked tirelessly to support the community, including raising $1 million for Make-A-Wish Canada.

Called “Tysen’s Mission to a Million,” he was inspired by his own experience with the organization after he got to meet Adam Sandler in Los Angeles, California in 2012.

“This desire sparked what would become a five-year fundraising campaign through Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario, supported steadfastly by his mother, father, family, friends and local community groups. On October 29, 2018, Tysen’s Mission to a Million reached its $1 million dollar goal which resulted in 100 children receiving their wishes.”

Lefebvre’s goal was met in October 2018 live on CTV News when a last-minute donation helped him achieve his goal.

“I want to thank you all for helping me out and supporting and making Ottawa a better place to live,” said Lefebvre in an interview with CTV News Ottawa at the time.

On Saturday, in an interview with CTV News Ottawa following his passing,

The former CEO of Make A Wish Eastern Ontario, Tanya Lalonde Desjardins, says Lefebvre walked up to her and announced he would be raising $1 million dollars for Make-A-Wish the first time they met. Soon after, Lefebvre’s work started.

“He never made it about himself,” Lalonde Desjardins told CTV News on Saturday. “He was proud of the mission, but it was always about giving back and helping other kids get their wishes.”

She says Lefebvre helped 100 Make-A-Wish children receive their wishes, and his work had a ripple effect.

“These hundred children were inspired by him. Some decided to do campaigns, some decided to help others in their own way,” Lalonde Desjardins said. “When you met Tysen, he had that energy that was so contagious that reminded you that we have no reason to complain and we should enjoy life to the fullest.”

Lefebvre received numerous awards in his lifetime, including in 2016, when he was presented with the “Mayor’s City Builder Award.”

In a statement posted to social media on Dec. 26, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe wrote he was sad to learn of his passing.

“We will all remember his warmth and the pride he took in giving back to the community,” read the statement. “On behalf of the people of Ottawa, my thoughts are with everyone who was touched by his remarkable spirit. He will be missed.”

Lefebvre also held a love of hockey.

“As a teenager, he proudly laced up his skates for the Capital City Condors (2015-2018),” Lefebvre’s family wrote.

Jim Perkins, the president of the Capital City Condors, says Lefevre had a passion for the sport, and was a leader on and off the ice.

“He was always upbeat, one of the most positive and joy-filled people I have known. Just a heart bigger than you can imagine,” he told CTV News Ottawa. “You can’t have a teammate like that without it having a profound influence on your life.”

He also worked as the Accessibility Ambassador for the Ottawa Senators.

“He thoroughly enjoyed greeting fans and guiding them through every home game, cheering his beloved Sens on,” the statement reads.

“Tysen lived boldly, beautifully and courageously, facing each challenge with bravery and determination,” the statement continues. “He moved mountains to achieve the extraordinary, dedicating his life to becoming a powerful voice for others and improving lives in the biggest ways possible. He would want the community to continue to make wishes come true, fight for accessibility, celebrate life with purpose, and just be kind to each other.”

A community-wide celebration of life for Tysen will be held in the coming weeks. The family asks that people consider donating to one of his favourite causes: Make-A-Wish Canada, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Capital City Condors.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App