Jake Allan Brooks Wagman (Aug 28, 2001 – June 10, 2025)
All that knew Jake loved Jake - he was an incredibly special person that taught everyone around him what it meant to love unconditionally and cherish life. First diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma at only 9 years old, Jake went through a very aggressive treatment course, and his cancer went into remission until the age of 23.
Jake was a connector and builder of community. He had the rare combination of charisma and generosity which were matched by his athleticism, intellect, and emotional maturity. The thousands of relationships he fostered over his short lifetime evolved into a huge community of people who became better humans just by having known him.
An extension of this nurturing spirit was his avid interest in collectables and a passion for trading card games and Japanese culture in general. He saw value in things that were often overlooked and appreciated the way small details could impact a larger vision. This trait, along with his resilience, galvanized his family to found Jake’s Collection – a two-time award-winning SickKids Hospital fund dedicated to raising money for Ewing’s Sarcoma research. Jake’s collection was named in honour of Jake and his passion for collectables. The fund raised over $150,000 for SickKids Hospital in Toronto.
Shortly after graduating from McGill University, Jake’s cancer returned. Despite a grave diagnosis, he spent the next year travelling and maximizing his time with family and friends in between treatments. In the month before his passing, he was able to visit two of his favourite places in the world - Japan and Disneyland. He said yes to every opportunity and soaked up all the music, art, food and gameplay he could. Intuitively, he understood that by engaging in his passions, he was building a legacy of bringing people together in the appreciation of all that inspired him. He continues to inspire us to say yes, to be gentle with things and each other, and find the best in everyone.
Jake passed away on June 10, 2025 surrounded by the community that loved him. His recurrence reminds us of how much more work and research are needed in order to develop new treatment options for patients with Ewing’s sarcoma, particularly for those with recurrent and metastatic disease. Please consider donating so that Jake’s legacy can continue to impact the much better potential outcomes of other children faced with this terrible disease.