Your story has the power to inspire generosity. Honour a loved one through fundraising and explore how Benevity can help multiply your impact.
In our community, giving is not just a one-time act. At DMRF Canada, we have seen donors make an impact that ripples far beyond themselves. An example of this is former Toronto Support Group Leader, Jacqueline Bell, who passed away in July 2025. Jacqueline is described by her family as someone who “Passionately lived the identity of being a helper, at home and around her community.”
Inspired by her commitment, Jacqueline’s family carry on her legacy of helping and giving, participating yearly in the Freedom to Move campaign as Team Bell.
To make an even greater impact in honour of Jacqueline’s memory, her family members have been able to multiply the donations they receive by getting their workplaces involved. A key to this has been making contributions easy, through a Canadian-based platform called Benevity. Many workplaces engage in team building activities, allocating time and funds towards causes that are important to them and their employees. Benevity streamlines this process for workplaces even providing tools to match donations made by their employees. As a result of their commitment and giving through Benevity, Team Bell has raised thousands towards dystonia research and has no plans to stop.
Rob Bell is Jacqueline’s son and a committed fundraiser. “Supporting the Freedom to Move Run for Dystonia became more than just attending the annual event,” he emphasizes. “It was about sharing a cause that is deeply personal to me. By working with my employer's fundraising committee, sending an organization-wide email with event details and a Benevity donation link, and reaching out to colleagues one-on-one, I learned that genuine, heartfelt conversations are often what inspire people to get involved and make a lasting impact."
Team Bell is a prime example of how people and their stories inspire giving. If dystonia has had an impact on your life or a loved one’s life, consider whether you have a workplace who could support your fundraising efforts through involvement and fund matching programs. We’re thankful for the leadership of volunteers like Rob and his family, as well as tools like Benevity that make this possible. You could make a similar impact to Team Bell. Amplify your fundraising efforts today!