Karissa is a friendly and resilient 13-year-old who has been a recipient of Variety funding since she was only four. Since her diagnosis of a facial vascular tumor, she has dealt with chronic pain and complex medical treatments from a young age. The visible condition was also the cause of emotional stress for Karissa as it made her a target for bullying.

Karissa recovery required hearing aids and a new CPAP machine which Variety was able to fund thanks to our donors. This year, Variety was able to step in again which meant Karissa had access to mental health counselling to manage the stresses of her physical condition. Now, Karissa has the tools to manage her mental well-being. Counselling empowers Karissa to make meaning of her past experiences and move toward long-term success. Way to go, Karissa!