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YOUR GIFTS AT WORK, TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER GRATITUDE REPORT 2024-25
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When Derakhshan and Sajad first came to Canada as refugees, they never imagined that a far greater heartbreak was on the horizon. Their baby girl Arisa would be diagnosed with a rare cancer. In a foreign land, miles away from family, they felt utterly alone and frightened.
will help ensure we’re here to help kids affected by cancer in these uncertain times.
Thankfully, with your generous support, Kids Cancer Care could be there for the Veysi-Karami family, connecting them to a healing community of families and programs to help them face childhood cancer from a place of hope and strength. At about five months, Arisa started presenting with bizarre symptoms. “All night long her eyes were wide open and dancing all around — 24/7,” says Derakhshan. “She lost all her abilities, she could not walk, talk, eat or sleep. Her body was shaking and kind of jerking, and she lost her balance.”
“Our kids got to go to camp last year,” says Derakhshan. “They couldn’t believe it! They enjoyed it so much; they want to volunteer when they get older. They want to be part of the team that brings so much joy to children.”
Arisa was diagnosed with a rare cancer called neuroblastoma with opsoclonusmyoclonus syndrome. It was stage 3, and the tumour was just above her right kidney.
With your generous support, Arisa is also benefitting from our tutoring program. She and her tutor meet weekly to work on her literacy, math and learning skills.
After surgery to remove the tumour, she faced months of chemotherapy and serious side effects, including a brain bleed, stroke and temporary loss of vision. Arisa braved these treatments and medical procedures for five years. “The doctor told us that if she survives, she will be handicapped — 100%,” recalls Derakhshan. “They said Arisa will never be able to eat anything by her mouth.” The medical team planned to put in a permanent feeding tube, but Derakhshan and Sajad refused. They patiently fed her formula drop by drop until gradually she relearned to swallow and eat by her mouth. Then Arisa surprised everyone when she started walking and talking again at age five. “She is our absolute miracle child,” says Derakhshan. Along the way, the Veysi-Karami family discovered Kids Cancer Care. Thanks to you, each summer, the four Veysi-Karami children get a break at camp where they feel an instant bond and sense of belonging with the other kids. The friendships, resilience and skills they develop at camp sustain them through difficult times.
“Arisa is behind cognitively and in school now,” says Derakhshan. “Kids Cancer Care offers us tutoring for our kids and lots of different programs. They are helping Arisa so much. It’s changing her life.”
You can be a superhero in the life of a child with cancer. Your monthly gifts will add up over time and make a lasting impact in the lives of the children we serve.
A Can Do for Kids Show moral is a fundraising support for initiative organized children who by YOU, your lose their hair school, your sports during chemo team, or your and cut, colour company. It can be or shave your as big or as small lid to raise funds as you’d like. for our essential You decide. programs.
Ride of Courage, July 11 to 13. Choose between 3-day, 2-day or 1-day rides or cycle on your own in the Flex Ride. Tour the Foothills by day and relax by the campfire at night.
Arisa’s brothers Ryan and Padra at camp
Donate, register or learn more at kidscancercare.ab.ca today.
COMMUNITY
Arisa’s sister Arshida
“Our kids got to go to camp last year. They couldn’t believe it! They enjoyed it so much.
supporters
♥ 8,740 PEOPLE participating in
♥ 394 VOLUNTEERS giving 18,051
hours to make our mission possible, saving the foundation $487,377 or the equivalent of 9 full-time positions.
♥ 9,148 generous individuals and companies
— Derakhshan
donating to Kids Cancer Care and 317 donors making regular gifts through our League of Superheroes Monthly Giving Club.
72 fundraising events hosted by Can Do fundraising partners and Kids Cancer Care.
♥ 149 generous individuals and
companies giving $8.61 M to make Camp Kindle even more magical and accessible for kids affected by cancer.
We expect to finish construction by October 2025. We can’t wait to share it with you.
Arisa during treatment
Today, Arisa is a bright, powerful 12-yearold girl who is not only surviving but thriving. She’s feeling more confident, and her academic skills are also improving.
“Our children loved camp so much and can’t wait to go back. — Parent
“My mom stopped worrying about me way less since we found Kids Cancer Care,” says Arisa. “Now everything is better, my grades are going up.”
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta 5757 4 Street SE Calgary, Alberta T2H 1K8
kidscancercare.ab.ca
Arisa with her parents
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is a registered Canadian charity #89940 9171 RR0001.
YOU’RE
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TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE 2024-25 GRATITUDE REPORT