Blood drive in memory of Mohawk College student, Maddy Hallett

Maddy in Amsterdam - Blood Drive

Mohawk College Recreation Therapy student Madeline “Maddy” Hallett was a vibrant, generous, and bright light to so many people. Maddy loved working with children, and was dedicated to her college program and her placement at Lansdowne Children’s Centre.

Unfortunately, Maddy’s bright light was dimmed too soon. Unbeknownst to anyone, she had a congenital malformation or weak spot in the blood vessels in her brain that suddenly ruptured.

Enduring two brain surgeries and countless treatments, Maddy fought valiantly, but, tragically, the damage to Maddy’s brain was too severe, and she passed away peacefully in February 2025 at the age of 20.

Maddy’s Recreation Therapy Diploma was conferred posthumously at a Mohawk College Convocation ceremony and was presented to her parents in June 2025.

The two blood transfusions that Maddy received during her illness were possible because of people donating blood through Canadian Blood Services (CBS). Maddy’s story has inspired people to donate blood and to fundraise for CBS.

Maddy’s Partners blood donation team has 43 members, many of whom are new blood donors. Maddy’s mother works at ACTRA Toronto, and her colleagues have raised more than $8,000 for CBS. Mohawk Students’ Association also made a donation to CBS in Maddy’s honour.

This October, Mohawk College is hosting a Blood Drive in Maddy’s honour.

Maddy has also inspired people to sign up to be organ/tissue donors as she was, and to donate their hair to make wigs for people with cancer/medical hair loss, continuing her legacy of helping others even after her passing.

To learn more about some of the many lives that Maddy touched, visit the Lansdowne Children's Centre tribute page.