Bob Shanks is excited to be playing in the 2020 CAN Pro-Am Hockey Tournament!

At the inaugural CAN Pro-Am in January 2019, Bob Shanks was the Top Individual Fundraiser, having raised over $20,000 for Canucks Autism Network (CAN).

Each year, CAN delivers over 500 sports and rec programs throughout BC. Ranging from weekly sports lessons to single-day family events, CAN programs have directly impacted over 4,700 individuals with autism and their families. But each program and event is only possible with the generous support of those who share our passion.

This is Bob's story.

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Bob Shanks is a young adult diagnosed with autism. In 2012, he first heard about CAN.

“My sister, Diana, was good friends with someone from the organization,” Robbie recalled. “Being a huge sports fan, I was motivated to support CAN’s programs. I love hockey, football and basketball.”

Most importantly, Robbie loved the idea of helping kids with autism play these sports too.

He began by collecting donations from his family, then quickly expanded his fundraising efforts. For six years, he has hosted pub nights, spearheaded online campaigns and even gone door-to-door to support CAN programs.

“Pretty much any time I wasn’t working,” Robbie told us, “I was fundraising for CAN.”

Starting in 2014, he was the Top Individual Fundraiser at the CAN Family Festival for three straight years, raising $10,128, $26,000 and $37,535.

In 2017, he set his sights on a truly astonishing milestone.

$100,000 raised all-time.

That September, Robbie reached and obliterated that goal.

But as inconceivable as it is for one individual to raise $100,000, the amount is not nearly as important as the passion that Robbie shares with CAN.

For Bob, seeing the joy that sports gives each child is what continues to motivate him. “I do it because these kids get to experience something that may not be possible without CAN.”

With over 16,000 children and youth living with autism in BC, the need for help is greater than ever. Every contribution counts.

Thank you to Robbie and all of our supporters for sharing CAN’s passion. We could not do what we do without you.