University of Guelph-Humber Business alum Giuliano Todaro (class of 2023) is going the extra mile for SickKids hospital in Toronto, recently having completed a 200-kilometre run from Western Law in London, Ont., to his hometown of Vaughan, Ont., to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research.
Passionate about advocacy work, he is currently attending Western University for law school – but that zeal for helping others started several years ago through founding a non-profit organization with his family called “Giuliano’s Journey” that was inspired by his own experience with childhood leukemia. Here’s what he had to say about his love for giving back.
Q: As a Guelph-Humber Business alum and Western Law student, what inspired you to embark on your journey to pursue law?
A: My inspiration to pursue law was shaped early – my mother is a paralegal and my uncle is a retired lawyer and judge in California, so the legal world was always familiar and integral to my upbringing. At Guelph-Humber, I served as a fourth-year representative for the Pre-Law Society, where I helped promote alternative legal pathways for Business students and participated in a moot competition (a mock legal proceeding) at Carleton University, which was a highlight of my undergrad. That experience, paired with a lifelong passion for advocacy through my work with SickKids Hospital and leukemia research, made law school a natural next step to amplify my voice and impact.
Q: In 2011, you and your family started Giuliano’s Journey, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for cancer research and awareness. How has this initiative helped shape your passion for advocacy?
A: Starting Giuliano’s Journey gave me my first real sense of purpose and showed me the power of using my voice to drive change. From organizing fundraising events to sharing my story publicly, I learned early on that advocacy is about more than words – it’s about creating tangible impact. That hands-on experience ignited my passion for standing up for others, which has carried through into my legal studies and my commitment to making a difference.
Q: This spring, you ran over 200 kilometres to raise funds for SickKids Hospital. What inspired you to take on this challenge as your way of giving back?
A: I was inspired by my earliest memories of doing the Terry Fox 5 km runs in elementary school, where my friends and I first learned what it meant to give back together. That spirit stayed with me, so when I thought about how to support SickKids as an adult, I knew I wanted to do something that felt equally meaningful and challenging. Running over 200 kilometres with my friends this spring was a way to honour those roots and show that, no matter our age, we can come together to make a real difference.
Q: What was the most challenging part of completing this run? The most rewarding?
A: The most challenging part was balancing my training and logistics with my responsibilities as a law student – fitting in long runs between classes and work pushed me both physically and mentally. On the other hand, the most rewarding part was seeing the incredible support and generosity from donors, local businesses, and people who just wanted to help. Knowing we raised awareness and made a real difference for SickKids kept me going every kilometre.
Q: How much money were you able to raise for SickKids through this run?
A: $19,665 [adding to the $250,000+ he has raised since 2011 through his organization’s annual gala]
Q: What advice would you give to Guelph-Humber students about pursuing advocacy work, especially for causes close to their hearts?
A: My biggest advice is to just start – even small actions can grow into something meaningful. Advocacy is about using your voice, your talents, and your passion to make a difference, and people will rally around a cause that feels genuine. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or feel like you have to do it alone; you’ll be amazed by the support you find along the way.
You can keep up with Giuliano on Instagram at @giulianosjourneyrun
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