About the foundation

Inspired by Gaby’s wish to help other families

The Gaby Davis Foundation was started in memory of Gabrielle Davis, whose brave fight against childhood cancer inspired a lasting commitment to support other families.

Our story

The Gaby Davis Foundation was started in memory of our daughter and friend Gabrielle Davis, who lost her battle with childhood cancer in March 2007. Her brave fight against cancer inspired us to fulfill her wish to help other families fighting this terrible beast.

During Gaby’s fight, it was necessary for one of us to leave our employment for the course of her 44-week treatment. It was also necessary for Gaby to travel to California for seven weeks in order to receive specialized radiation treatment for her cancer. There were many costs that were not covered by insurance, and we were required to carry two households during her time away.

Our family was very fortunate to be given a great deal of support during Gaby’s treatment, but not all families we met were so lucky. We met several families who were struggling to keep afloat both financially and emotionally. Many had to be away from home and family for much longer periods of time than we did and had treatment protocols that go on for years.

It is families like these that we would like to assist by relieving some of their financial burden so they can spend time with their sick child instead of worrying about how they are going to get through this fight. We understand first-hand just how precious the gift of time is with our children.

Our goal is to offer support and assistance to British Columbian children with cancer and their families in times of financial need. Gaby wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Please help us to help them.
Thank you,
Guy & Tanya Davis

Read Gaby’s wish Visit Gaby’s Story

Our volunteers

Board of Directors

Tanya Davis

President · Liaison with families, BC Children’s Hospital and Surrey Memorial

In 1999 Tanya Davis would never have imagined that less than eight years later she would be setting up a charity to honour her daughter, Gabrielle Christine Davis. As a mom to three boys on top of enduring Gaby’s battle with cancer, Tanya knows about organization and getting things done. As a busy accountant, Tanya brings financial and administrative skills. Combined with her intense empathy for families with a child going through cancer, Tanya’s experience and skill set lends itself to the passionate leader she is, bringing to fruition her daughter’s wish of helping families affected by childhood cancer.

Guy Davis

Vice-President · Technical support · Liaison with families and BC Children’s Hospital

Guy Davis was quite content with remaining just Daddy to his little girl and three boys when Gaby’s cancer diagnosis led him onto another path: first caring for his sick little girl and now trying to fulfill the wish she made of helping other families during their cancer journey. As a technical support specialist, Guy puts his experience to good use caring for the technical aspects of the Foundation as well as giving guidance to the overall direction of the charity. As Tanya’s husband, Guy works closely with her liaising with the families being helped by the Foundation, sharing the same empathy of having gone through their own childhood cancer journey.

Niki Iglic

Treasurer

Niki is a mother of three girls who enjoys spending time with family and friends. Niki got involved with the Gaby Davis Foundation to give support to Tanya and Guy and the many families out there that are in the unfortunate situation of having a sick child. Lending a helping hand to support anyone in their journey is the best way for Niki to pay it forward. Niki has been a part of the Davis family’s extended family for years and hopes to help out with GDF for many years to come.

Hope Iglic

Director

Hope decided to join the board of directors not only because she enjoys helping people, but also because Gaby was her cousin. Gaby taught her a valuable lesson: to always give back no matter what. She believes that by helping continue Gaby’s wish, she keeps her memory alive. She has volunteered at past events but felt the need to do something more to help. Hope believes that by contributing new ideas for events and raising awareness about childhood cancer, she has lots to contribute to the board.

Michelle Sweet-Visram

Director

Michelle learned about the Gaby Davis Foundation through her friend Danielle Davis, who is a cousin of Gaby. Michelle’s sister Sarah was diagnosed with cancer when she was a year old. Thankfully, she survived, but the toll it took on their family throughout the diagnosis and treatment was tremendous. After getting to know Tanya and Guy and hearing about Gaby, the foundation, and the work it does with and for families suffering under this burden, Michelle knew she had found what she was looking for.

Ashleigh Schuman

Director

When Ashleigh was six years old, her baby brother, who was 18 months old at the time, was diagnosed with leukemia. During his treatments she spent time volunteering with her mom and the Miracle Team at various events. He is now a healthy, successful man. Since having her own kids, working with childhood cancer initiatives has become even more important to her, and joining the Gaby Davis Foundation was a natural next step.

Jonathan Sharma

Director

Jonathan is a young professional who has known the Davis family since 2005. He has always been a supporter of the charity and decided to join the board in 2019 to be involved more actively with day-to-day operations.

Ashley Cosco

Director

Ashley is a CPA who was introduced to the Gaby Davis Foundation through Tanya while working together at Boston Pizza. After volunteering at the annual comedy night, she enjoyed supporting the cause and joined the Board of Directors in early 2023. She is happy to give back and support the organization’s mission.

Kaja Lansdell

Director

Kaja joined the board of directors in 2025 to support others going through the unthinkable series of events that come with a cancer diagnosis. Gaby Davis was her cousin, and she is honoured to carry on her legacy of kindness. Kaja is also intimately familiar with what a cancer diagnosis feels like, having been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2021 at 34 years old and endured the full scope of treatment. She is grateful to be healthy today and looks forward to many years of doing what the Foundation can to make the worst possible situation a little bit easier.

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