The Carley’s Angels Foundation celebrated its 10-Year Legacy Gala, a milestone event
honoring 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.
Michael and Amanda Nadel – Early Supporters of the Charity
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.
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.
Adam Wylde, Radio Host and CEO of SDPN Sports
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Mark and May Allison, Carley’s Parents, at the Gala