KCCFA opens doors to new camp

FOR THE FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS OF KIDS CANCER CARE FOUNDATION OF ALBERTA
KCCFA opens doors to new camp
Editor: Gail Corbett
Unique Perspectives Artistic Photography
at that summer camp.
His mother vowed
to establish a camp in
Alberta, so children
wouldn’t have to travel
out-of-province to get
a much-needed break
from the rigours of
cancer treatments.
The Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta
(KCCFA) found its new home on September
25 when it opened the gate to Camp Kindle.
It will be the first specialized cancer camp for
children with cancer in Alberta.
“This is a dream come true,” said Christine
Wandzura, KCCFA CEO. “We have been
providing camp
experiences for
children with can“This is
cer for 19 years
as a user-group
—Christine
at other facilities, but we have
always dreamed of owing our own camp. Now
that dream is a reality.”
FALL 2009
For Allan Laudersmith,
whose six-year-old son
Quinn was diagnosed
with a tumour four
years ago, Camp
Kindle is another gift
from an organization
he calls phenomenal:
“KCCFA got us through the toughest times of
our life when we didn’t know which way was
up,” says Laudersmith. “It’s nice to have a home
away from home.”
Situated on 160 acres in the Foothills, Camp
Kindle cost the foundation $2.2 million. It
features a pond surrounded by rolling pasture
and dense forest.
It comes loaded
with bunkhouses,
”
staff and volunteer
Wandzura
residences, a natural amphitheatre,
music hall, craft
cottage, rustic get-away cabin, campfire pit and
barn. There is ample room to run programs
and activities with a baseball diamond, soccer
field, horseshoe pits, a pond for canoeing and
ice-skating and miles of hiking and x-country
ski trails.
Camp & Community
Research
Clinical Support
Scholarship
Inside…
On page 6
19 years of camp — in pictures
On page 10
a dream come true
When Christine’s son Derek was diagnosed
with a brain tumour in 1986 there were very
few services for children with cancer in Alberta. Wandzura arranged to send her son to a
cancer camp in British Columbia. Derek spent
some of the happiest moments of his short life
Although the camp is fully staffed and ready for
children with cancer, the Foundation plans to
Giving back never felt so good
On page 11
KCCFA summer events raised $442K
continued on page 2
www.kidscancercare.ab.ca
1
Message from our CEO
continued from page 1
A hundred times a day I remind myself that my life depends on the labours of others, living and dead, and
further customize
and develop Camp
Kindle over the next
few years to meet
the unique needs of
children with cancer.
The Foundation will
initiate a fundraising campaign in the
future to cover the
cost of the property
and new developments.
Check out Camp
Kindle on our website
at kidscancercare.
ab.ca.
To say that owning our own camp is a dream come true is an understatement. It has been the
dream of many—our families, volunteers, supporters, board and staff. Until last January, however, it
just wasn’t possible. But things lined up last winter and we now own Camp Kindle. I could not be
more delighted and humbled by this turn of events.
Unique Perspectives Artistic Photography
Recognizing the
camp’s revenuegenerating potential,
KCCFA will rent
the camp to school,
music and corporate
groups during the
off-season to help
with camp operating
costs. This new revenue stream will help
KCCFA to further
maximize the programs and services
it offers Alberta
families. Located 83
kilometers northwest of Calgary
and 280 kilometres
south of Edmonton,
the camp is already a
popular destination
with some 40 school
groups and music
bands scheduled for
the 2009/2010 year.
that I must exert myself in order to give, in measure as I have received, and am still receiving.
—Albert Einstein
We are working hard to
create a place that comforts
and challenges—a place to
heal and transform lives.
Camp Kindle belongs to
the children and families
we serve. It’s a place to
call home. A place where,
together, we will ignite joy
and empower lives.
For 19 years, we have
hosted our camps at Easter
Seals Camp Horizon and
leaving has been bitter sweet. I have had the
honour of watching thousands of kids enjoy this facility—trying new things, growing strong and
growing up. We thank everyone at Horizon and wish them well as they continue to help children
enjoy their childhoods.
A warm welcome to Naveen Dargan and Charlie Fischer who joined our board last spring. These
gentlemen each bring a wealth of talent and experience to the table and we’re delighted to have
them both on board. Congratulations are also in order for Charlie, who was named Canada’s Energy Person of the Year by the Energy Council of Canada this past October.
A big congratulations to Justine MacDonald too! Justine is a former camper and long-time volunteer with KCCFA. Her contributions to the community were recognized last month with a
Western Legacy Award for Youth.
By now, you have probably received our recent fundraising appeal in the mail, featuring the touching story of Sarah Weidmann and her family. Their journey with cancer illustrates the extent to
which a single family can be challenged and still manage to thrive. They are truly inspiring. Please
consider making donation, remembering that their story could be anyone’s story.
Sincere thanks to all our volunteers, donors and supporters as we move into the next chapter of
KCCFA’s journey. We are indebted to you and thank you for helping us to ease the pain and suffering of children with cancer. As Dr. Einstein so eloquently put it, we do depend on you and promise
to continue exerting ourselves in full measure to the gifts we receive.
Sincerely,
All photos provided courtesy of
KCCFA unless otherwise indicated.
Christine Wandzura, M.S.M, CFRE,
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
kidscancercare.ab.ca
2
News
Childhood cancer survivors more resilient
Childhood cancer
survivors are not
only doing well;
Dr. Sean Phipps had good news for childhood
cancer survivors and their parents last June,
when he gave the keynote address at Survivor
Day. Phipps told a room of parents and health
care professionals at the Alberta Children’s
Hospital that childhood cancer survivors are
not only doing well; they’re flourishing.
Phipps is a member and chair of the Department of Behavioral Medicine at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. For the past 15 years, he has maintained
an active research program focusing on the
coping and adaptation skills of children under
the stresses associated with chronic or lifethreatening illnesses.
Phipps’ research reveals that childhood cancer
survivors are more resilient than others and
that they have a positive mindset, which helps
them to focus on their strengths and well-being and adds to their overall happiness and life
satisfaction. While these kids do thrive, Phipps’
research indicates that they never quite shake
the mental and medical legacy of their early ill-
they’re
flourishing.
ness. But they do not consider themselves victims. Phipps also reports that post-traumatic
stress doesn’t necessarily occur in the cancer
patients themselves, but rather their parents,
particularly moms.
This new research counters traditional thinking, which has suggested that childhood cancer
survivors often have lower self-esteem and
self-concept due to their cancer experiences.
Summer student research grants
Research at the hospital is called clinical
research and it is vital to the growth and
evolution of cancer treatment and care. This
year, KCCFA awarded its first clinical research
grants to university students Franco Rizzuti
and Eve Purdy. Each student received a $6K
grant from KCCFA to work with Dr. Doug
Strother at the Alberta Children’s Hospital
(ACH).
Meanwhile, back at the lab…
KCCFA also awarded $12K in research grants
to Shamim Lotfi and Evan Woldum, who
worked with Dr. Aru Narendran last summer
at the University of Calgary. Their research is
showing promise and is currently being considered for publication.
“I have learned more this past
summer than in my 13 years of
schooling”—Eve Purdy
—
The purpose of the summer studentship is
twofold:
•To provide much-needed help to senior researchers and add to the growing body of cancer knowledge;
•To encourage young people to pursue a career in oncology research and care.
The program is already inspiring future oncologists: “I cannot even begin to tell you what an
amazing experience I had,” says Eve Purdy, a
Bachelor of Health Sciences student at McMaster University. “I have learned more this
past summer than in my 13 years of schooling
combined. Thank you for making this possible.”
Unique Perspectives Artistic Photography
KCCFA awards clinical research grants
When we think of research, we often imagine
a scientist working in a laboratory. But many
advances in cancer research and care also take
place in the hospital.
kidscancercare.ab.ca
www.kidscancercare.ab.ca
kidscancercare.ab.ca
3
Camp & Community
Mark your
Calendar
Thank
you to
Easter Seals Camp Horizon 2006
November
15 Family Program
Cool Yule: A Christmas Carol
Theatre Calgary
28
Teen Night
Mount Royal
University
Basketball Game
December
6
Family Program
Winter Festival
Camp Kindle
1999
January
15 Teen Night
Laser Quest
17
SunDance
Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling
Chinook Bowla-
dome
February
6
Graceful Arts King Arthur
Loose Moose Theatre
Nineteen
Years of
TBDFamily Ski Night
Canada Olympic
Park
1998
March
6
Graceful Arts
Baking Bonanza
Kulinary Kids
19
Teen Night
Flames Game
Saddledome
26
SunDance
Spash n’ Slide
Westside Recre-
ation Centre
1993
2009
kidscancercare.ab.ca
4
for
19
Camp & Community
spectacular years of camp!
April
16 Teen Night
Improv Theatre
Loose Moose Theatre
2005
18
2000
May
9
29
2001
Graceful Arts
One World
Drumming
Gordon Townsend Gym (ACH)
Family Program
Mother’s Day Fun
Teen Program
Photography
The Camera Store Studios
June
5
Graceful Arts
Heritage Park
20
1996
1997
1995
Family Program
BBQ with
U of C Dinos
Bowness Park
July 2
2 Family Program
COP Fun Day
Canada Olympic Park
To register for a community program, please contact
us at 403.984.1218 or
fortier@kidscancer
care.ab.ca or visit us online at kidscancercare.
ab.ca.
kidscancercare.ab.ca
5
Community Friends
Friends in the community make great things happen for KCCFA kids and families! We thank our friends
who raised funds on our behalf through headshaves and community initiatives.
U of C med students: razing the roof again
You know how the saying goes: “If you want
something done, ask a busy person.” This is
certainly true of the students at the University
of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine. A dedicated
group of professionals-to-be, they mean business when it
comes to helping
their community
and they do so
“This is a great way to bring the
regularly—with a
U of C
touch of finesse
together in the name of a great cause.” and success.
Faculty of Medicine
The Canadian
Federation of
Medical Students
(CFMS) is the national body, representing medical students across
Canada. Each year, the CFMS
orchestrates fundraising campaigns
for cancer charities at 17 medical
schools across the country. Each
school chooses its own cancer-related charity, be it local or national.
On February 13, International
Childhood Cancer Day, U of C
med students hosted their sixth
annual Shave Your Lid for a Kid®
event. It was a hair-razing success with 23 students and staff
members volunteering to shave
their heads. They raised a staggering $24,500 through pledges and
kidscancercare.ab.ca
6
a silent auction, donating $13,000 to the Kids
Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta and the remaining funds to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“This is a great way to bring the U of C Faculty
of Medicine together in the name of a great
cause,” says Kelli Sherlock, the U of C med
student and CFMS representative who organized the shave.
The event was chockfull of great energy, great
food, tempting prizes and loads of dedication
to a cause that is close to many hearts.
Shave it
off!
KCCFA is looking for
brave souls to show
their support for
children with cancer. To
plan your own hairrazing event, contact us
at 403.984.1229 or
syl@kidscancercare.
ab.ca.
1995
Community Friends
Joel’s Journey
With friendship, determination, love and hope,
anything is possible. On Saturday June 20, at
Ecole St. Sylvester School, the truth of this rang
loud and clear as a community rallied together
to support a fellow student and friend, Joel
Zukowski.
5
Joel’s friends and family raised more than $24,000 for KCCFA kids.
To show Joel and his family that they are not
alone, friends and family hosted a fundraiser
with proceeds going to KCCFA. The day started with a five–kilometre run/walk, followed
by a BBQ and head shave. Local firefighters
were there to cheer on participants and KCCFA spokeskid Jennifer
Murdock had encouraging words for Joel and his
family.
Joel’s Journey was an
astounding success, raising
more than $24,000 for
KCCFA kids. The intention was not only to raise
funds, but to also provide
Joel with strength, hope
and courage to face
chemotherapy. Joel’s smile
that day told us everything
we needed to know. This
group had achieved its
most important goal.
As far as10 year-old-boys go, Joel is a pretty
typical kid. He loves sports. He’s an exceptional
student and he excels at the violin. But what
makes Joel unique is that last February he was
diagnosed with a brain tumuor.
Take one
for the
team! Planning a Grey Cup
party? Why not turn
fun into fundraising
and donate the
proceeds to KCCFA?
• How about a chili
cook-off? Charge for
chili samples.
• Why not add a
quarter-time draw to
the festivities?
• What about a 50/50
draw?
• Do I hear silent auction? Ask your guests to
bring an item.
For more ideas on how to
help children with cancer
through community
fundraisers, call Ashlee at
403.984.6208 or email
guise@kidscancer
care.ab.ca.
Thanks to our community friends!
You raised $338,000 for KCCFA kids
last summer!
3
Tour for Kids Alberta
$210,000
Post Hotel Wine Summit $64,000
Rogers Chomp & Stomp $50,000
Tough Times Golf Tournament $14,000
2008/09
Annual Report
flip here
for a minisample…
Volunteers were behind the scenes supporting the
cyclists on every leg of the journey.
kidscancercare.ab.ca
7
Our People
There’s something about Mary
I t only takes a few moments with Mary to realize
you’re with someone
extraordinary. There’s just
something about Mary
that makes you feel warm
and welcome and that
your story is the most
important one she’s ever
heard.
Mary Phillipo with of our parents
Samah Rizkalla at camp.
“Seeing families
go through
cancer makes
you realize
the importance
of what you
have”—Mary
Phillipo
Mary Phillipo is KCCFA’s
camp administrative
assistant, overseeing all
camp registrations. She’s
often the first contact our
families have with KCCFA and she’s perfect for
the role.
“These families are often going through the
hardest time of their lives,” says Mary. “I want
to make their first encounter a positive one. I
want people to feel that KCCFA is an extension of their own family.”
W hen Dr. Chris Brown walks into a room, he
lights up the place with his incredible smile and
energy. The man has intelligence and energy to
burn. Fortunately, he’s chosen to dedicate
his significant talents to cancer research.
Nicole Liboiron
“He’s an amazing force,” says Christine
Wandzura of KCCFA. “Chris Brown
is focused, experienced, collaborative
and passionate about cancer research.
We’re honoured to have a scientist of his
caliber and experience on the board.”
Founding director of the Southern
Alberta Cancer Research Institute,
kidscancercare.ab.ca
8
Mary feels fortunate with her life. “Working at
KCCFA humbles you,” she says. “Seeing families go through cancer makes you realize the
importance of what you have and reminds you
to appreciate the small things in life.”
After two years at KCCFA, Mary can confidently say that what she values most about her
job are the relationships: “I love meeting our
families and getting to know them. I love getting emails and phone calls from parents after
camp, thrilled by their experiences. And I love
knowing that I am playing a small part in bringing smiles to their faces.”
Globe-trotting cancer doc takes research helm
As chair of KCCFA’s research advisory
committee, Dr. Brown is daily moving
mountains. Since his term started a year
ago, the committee has revamped all the
research granting forms, timelines and
review processes.
Dr. Chris Brown
Family is Mary’s number one priority. She is
blessed with two beautiful daughters, Meghan
and Nicole, who also volunteer with KCCFA,
and she and her husband Frank have been married for 31 years. Their dog Dexter completes
the family unit.
Dr. Brown has been instrumental in building
cancer research programs in Alberta. He is the
former chair of the Cancer Biology Research
Group at the University of Calgary and past
director of research at the Tom Baker Cancer
Centre. A former Alberta Heritage Foundation
for Medical Research scholar and clinical investigator, he is currently an attending physician
with the Alberta Bone Marrow and Blood Cell
Transplant Program.
And as if that’s not enough: each year, he and
his wife Dr. Jane Lemaire leave behind the
comforts of North America for four weeks in
Southeast Asia, where they are helping develop
and restructure curricula at a medical school
in Vientiane, Laos. Families around the world
will no doubt reap the benefits of this man’s
energy and dedication.
O
Volunteers
Thank you volunteers
T hank you for giving your time and your hearts again this year. We couldn’t do it without you!
You can spot KCCFA volunteers a mile away. You’ll know them by their…
Responsibility & reliability
You can count on them to show up
on time and get the job done.
Smarts
They’re quick and willing to
learn. They’re good problem-solvers.
“The week our
girls go to camp
is a special time
for them, so to
all the sponsors,
volunteers, staff,
doctors, nurses,
THANK YOU for
taking the most
horrible time
and turning it
into a positive
experience
for our girls”
—parent
Bright eyes
They have a sparkle in their eyes
and… Step… a bounce in their step.
Big smile
They enjoy helping our kids
and their families and it shows.
Talk
They speak with kindness and are
considerate of others’ needs and
views.
Unique Perspectives Artistic Photography
Big heart
They care about our kids and families and
show empathy—even if they haven’t been
personally affected by cancer
As a parent, it
brings me great
joy to know my
kids are in such
good hands and
that all their needs
are being met, while
having lots of fun.
A special thank
you to all of the
volunteers!”
—parent
Our volunteer program
is generously supported
by a Community Spirit
Grant from the Alberta
Lottery Fund.
Willingness to help
They’re not afraid to pitch in and help.
Mary-ann DeVries exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism at KCCFA.
kidscancercare.ab.ca
9
Perspectives
Steve Bueckert’s story
“We want to keep
KCCFA kids and
teens in gear for
a long time.”
Steve Bueckert was 11 years old, when he
was diagnosed with cancer and his world came
to a crashing halt. But he was able to pick
himself up at Camp Goodtimes, a children’s
oncology camp in British Columbia, where he
spent his summers.
“My time at camp helped form my love for the
outdoors,” recalls Steve, “and it gave me the
confidence to know that I could succeed at
whatever I wanted to do.”
Steve was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic
leukemia and was immediately booked for an
emergency bone marrow procedure. He and
Today, Steve gives kids a similar shot at finding
themselves through outdoor sports and activity. It just so happens that The Forzani Group
is also committed to making this happen. The
company’s Power of Sports for Kids program
sees new sports and outdoor equipment go to
kids and youth across Canada who, for whatever reason, aren’t able to enjoy the physical
and emotional benefits of sports and outdoor
activity.
Unique Perspectives Artistic Photography
Last summer, Steve and a contingent of staff
from the Calgary Coast Mountain Sports
stores helped 12 KCCFA teens get out and
enjoy the outdoors with a $7,500 donation of
outdoor equipment to our SunSeeker program. He and his staff spent the afternoon with
the teens, getting to know them and showing
them how to use the gear.
Steve Bueckert (second from
right) and his staff warm up by
the fire after helping the teens
set up camp in the rain at
Camp SunSeeker.
“I know this camping and hiking gear dramatically improved their ability to get those brave
cancer survivors enjoying the great outdoors,”
says Steve. “The ability to give back on this
scale was a dream
come-true for me
personally.”
his family spent
the next two
years between
“The ability to give back on this scale
Kelowna and
Vancouver, where
And The Forzani
for
was
every second
Group is in it for
me personally”—Steve Bueckert
month, he rethe long-haul.
turned for cancer
“We’re looking at
treatments. It
this as the start of
wasn’t easy for the family to uproot itself so
a long-time relationship,” says Steve. “This isn’t
often, but it was during this time that Steve
a one-off. We want to keep KCCFA kids and
found an inner strength that set him up for life.
teens in gear for a long time.”
a dream come-true
“‘Adversity doesn’t build character,’” he says,
recalling a saying his mother often quoted, “it
reveals character.’”
kidscancercare.ab.ca
10
Although he’s been cancer-free for over two
decades, Steve will tell you that it continues
to shape him today. District manager of The
Forzani Group’s Coast Mountain Sports, Steve
credits his experiences at Camp Goodtimes
with his ultimate career path. “At camp, I was
exposed to the outdoors. I got to do things I
hadn’t done before and that I may never have
had the chance to.”
Our Supporters
Trico Homes Ride
Trico Homes
Continental Group
Walt Healy Motorcycle
Suzuki
Julia Janes – Keller Williams
Delta Construction &
Siding
Deschenes Regnier
Totem Building Supplies
making our 2007 and 2008 fall Family Camps
possible. Their generous donation to our
Family Camp program has given families the
chance to connect and reach out to one
another at a difficult time in their lives. There’s
plenty of grown-up time, kids-only time and
loads of family time. Just what families need on
the long road to recovery:
“In giving us fun family events to look forward
to, KCCFA has helped us through the hard
times, through the rollercoaster of emotions, through our son’s journey with cancer,
through his passing and to the other side,
where we have found the strength
to carry on without him.
“KCCFA played a huge role in
this journey, so we want to thank
KCCFA and its many sponsors for
all that they do for families like
ours facing childhood cancer”—
bereaved parent.
A special thanks to Intact Foundation for
“KCCFA came into our lives at a time when
our world had fallen apart and when we felt
lost and overwhelmed. Having a baby diagnosed with cancer seemed unreal, unbearable
and almost unheard of to us. KCCFA picked
us up and helped us build a community of
friends that we can lean on for support, encouragement, friendship and laughter.
Making Family Camp possible Thank you to our
major event sponsors
of $5,000 or more.You
made our summer
fundraising events a
success!
O
Golf Tournament
Calgary Jewellery, Concord, Ebel
Lite 96
Betty Lou Munro
Calgary Sun
Cardel Homes
Cottonwood Golf &
Country Club
Delta West Academy
GLJ Petroleum Consultants
Graham Construction
Kramer Mazda
Leslie & Irene Dubé
Foundation
Maguire’s Floor & Window Covering
Olympia Liquor
Pengrowth
Redwater Rustic Grille
Riverstone Flooring
Trail Appliances
Solo Liquor
Sterling Western Star Trucks
Truman Insurance Agency Inc.
Downie family at KCCFA Family Camp
It’s a wrap
Ride brings in $228,000
Alberta motorcyclists hit the high road
Father’s Day weekend, June 19 to 21, for
the seventh annual Trico Homes Ride for a
Lifetime. The ride brought in $228,000 for
childhood cancer research, bringing total
revenue over the last seven years to $1.8
million. Way to go!
Golf tournament raises $214000
Golfers and sponsors raised $214,000 this
year at the Don, Joanne & the Coach Golf
a Kid to Camp tournament. This fun-filled,
food-filled day with a bit of golfing on the
side has raised $1.5 million over the last
15 years and has sent thousands of Alberta
children affected by cancer to camp.
kidscancercare.ab.ca
11
Unique Perspectives Artistic Photography
Thank you Intact Foundation! Your
support is making a difference.
Board of Directors
Jack Perraton, CM., QC, Chair
Jackie Altwasser
Crispin Arthur
Dr. Christopher Brown
Naveen Dargan
Charlie Fischer
Cindy Gibson
Joni Hughes
Catherine Laing
Don Schafer
Brad Stevens
Don Stevens
Dr. Doug Strother
Fundraising Events
Parents’ Quest for the Cure
A
PlumAffair
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Calgary Westin
Ride for a Lifetime
June 25 – 27, 2010
Calgary – Jasper – Fairmont Hot Springs
Staff Team
Christine Wandzura, M.S.M., CFRE
Don, Joanne & the Coach
Golf a Kid to Camp
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Cottonwood Golf & Country Club
Chief Executive Officer
Gail Corbett
Communication Manager
Sharlene Coulter
Manager of Volunteers
Katherine Fortier
Community Program Coordinator
Roz Freeman
Event Coordinator
Ashlee Guise
Communty Initiatives Coordinator
Michele Keys
Camp Kitchen Manager
Kris Lashmore
Camp Maintenance Manager
Unique Perspectives Artistic Photography
Mike MacKay
Director of Camp & Community
Candice Martin
Manager of Community Initiatives
Trish Matheson, CFRE
Director of Development &
Communications
Janice McLeod
Administrative Coordinator
Jodi McNabb, CFRE
Development Manager
Jordan Miller
Camp Program Manager
Carly Murray
Event Coordinator
To take part in a KCCFA event as a sponsor, donor, participant or volunteer, please contact the Foundation
at 403.216.9210 or [email protected].
Mary Phillipo
Camp Administrative Assistant
Tracey Stahn
Community Program Coordinator
We appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you about KCCFA’s activities. If you wish to alter the
amount or type of mail you receive, please call us at 403.216.9210 or email [email protected].
Canadian Publications Agreement #40049602
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta
609 - 14 Street N.W., Suite 302
Calgary, AB T
2N 2A1
P 403.216.9210
F 403.216.9215
Toll Free (Alberta) 1.888.554.2267