YOUR GIFTS AT WORK, TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER
how to help
WINTER 2020 ISSUE
BE A MONTHLY MAKE A ONE- RIDE A DONOR TIME GIFT MOTORCYCLE Unique Perspectives Photography
Even a small monthly gift adds up over time to make a lasting difference in the lives of children with cancer.
No matter how big or small, every dollar counts in the battle against childhood cancer.
Join the 2020 Kinsmen Ride for a Lifetime. A 3-day VIP motorcycle ride: June 19-21. Register today! rideforalifetime. dojiggy.com
Thea
GO TO A GALA
BE BRAVE
Celebrate the legends of the silver screen at Parents’ Quest for the Cure: Silver Screen Gala, presented by MNP, on Saturday, March 7. Help raise funds for children’s cancer research.
Shave, cut or colour your lid for a kid, while raising funds for children with cancer. Register your Big Brave fundraiser today.
YOU GAVE THEA A BREAK FROM FIGHTING CANCER
Donate, register or learn more at kidscancercare.ab.ca today.
camp
Sadly, this would be Thea’s last Camp Kindle experience. When her pain became unbearable in August 2017, her treatment team regrouped and adjusted her pain management. This meant multiple pumps, lines and needle pokes in her body and five more rounds of radiation. Amid the gruelling treatments, Thea remained focused on a few things she needed to do. One was to attend her first day of grade three. The second was to make it to one more Dad and Daughter Gala. In October 2017, just two weeks before she passed, Patrick and his daughters attended the gala. The girls had the time of their lives, but for Patrick, it was much more than just a fun night out with his girls.
As the years pass and the Roelofsens learn to live without Thea, they are finding healing and support through Kids Cancer Care. Thanks to you, nine-year-old Brynn is building lasting friendships at camp and the whole family is finding support at Family Camp. “The fear of every parent who has lost a child is that as time goes on their child will be forgotten,” says Lesley. “Kids Cancer Care does a lot to ensure that doesn’t happen and has a special night called Time to Remember, where we gather to remember our children taken by cancer.” Thank you! Your support means everything to kids like Thea and their families.
“It represented her graduating from high school, graduating from university, getting married and every milestone in between, where we could have shared one more dance together. I think we were the last to leave that night!”
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta 5757 4 Street SE Calgary, Alberta T2H 1K8
kidscancercare.ab.ca
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is a registered Canadian charity #89940 9171 RR0001.
Thea in her dad’s arms at the Dad and Daughter Gala
Because you cared, Thea and her sister Brynn experienced the magic of camp together one last time.
Photo courtesy of Roelofsen Family
Cont. from page 3
Thea at the hospital with her million dollar smile
The Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is planning to raise an estimated $4.3M this year, which will cost the organization an estimated $1.3M to raise. All monies raised will be used for board-approved programs and projects that benefit the families we serve.
kidscancercare.ab.ca
CEO message
camp
Today, thanks to your generosity, families like ours find healing and support at Kids Cancer Care. Here, they are welcomed into a community of families who understand. Together, these families rebuild their lives through our year-round programs. This edition of Kids Candidly, featuring our 2019 Gratitude Report, demonstrates the range of programming your support makes possible. Please know that your generosity is making a difference in the lives of children and families every day. Thea’s story is a rich illustration of this. Thank you for believing in our vision of providing A cure for every child and care for every family. With gratitude,
Christine McIver, M.S.M., LLD (Hon), CFRE Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Lives you changed in 2019 883 happy campers
5 kids
EXPLORING THEIR POTENTIAL AND REBUILDING THEIR LIVES AT CAMP
CONQUERING THEIR FEAR AND ANXIETY AROUND MEDICAL TREATMENTS THROUGH CHILD LIFE AT HOME
76 kids MANAGING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENTS THROUGH THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE AT PEER
22 teens
36 kids
GAINING THE SKILLS AND LIFE LESSONS THEY NEED TO BE TOMORROW’S LEADERS THROUGH OUR TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
BENEFITTING FROM 1,600+ HOURS OF TUTORING SUPPORT AND LESSON PLANNING
50+ parents
11 kids with cancer GETTING THE EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT THEY NEED AT SCHOOL THROUGH CANCER IN THE CLASSROOM
$24K in scholarships HELPING 11 CANCER SURVIVORS CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE THROUGH POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
310 nutritious home-cooked meals FEEDING 16 NEWLY DIAGNOSED FAMILIES THROUGH COOKING AND CARING
“Thea wasn’t going to let a little something like age, size or cancer get in her way.” — Patrick
You could say Thea came into the world with an extra dose of exuberance and a greater share of resilience. But then again life would demand a lot more of this little girl. She would need these qualities in spades. Thea was seven years old when she was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Shortly after diagnosis, her parents Lesley and Patrick Roelofsen learned the cancer had spread to her lungs. Thea endured 18 months of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
GETTING A MUCH-NEEDED BREAK THROUGH OUR PARENT PROGRAM
811 pizzas BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER DURING WEEKLY PIZZA NIGHTS AT THE HOSPITAL
Volunteers GIVING 27,000+ HOURS TO MAKE OUR PROGRAMS POSSIBLE, SAVING THE FOUNDATION $700,000+ OR THE EQUIVALENT OF 13 FULL-TIME POSITIONS
Thanks to you, the Roelofsen family found healing and support through our Pizza Nights at the hospital. Every Wednesday evening, they connected with other families on the cancer unit, sharing their fears and concerns, their hopes and dreams over pizza.
L-R Brynn and Thea enchanted by magic tricks at our SunRise day camp
Six months into treatment, the doctors informed the Roelofsens that the tumours in Thea’s lungs were not disappearing. They were, in fact, growing. The cancer was relentless and the treatments aggressive, but Thea never allowed any of it to slow her down. With your generous support, Thea and her sister Brynn enjoyed a week of summer camp in 2016 and 2017. Nestled in the Alberta foothills, Camp Kindle offered eight-year-old Thea a whole new world of possibility and adventure.
The Roelofsen family
“Thea was immediately drawn to the impressive high ropes and zip line,” recalls Patrick. “When she inquisitively asked when they would be going on that, the response she got was that it was reserved for kids 12 years and over. In typical Thea fashion, she was determined to conquer that course. She continued to persuade the counsellors. Thea wasn’t going to let a little something like age, size or cancer get in her way.” While the official answer was no to the high ropes, behind the scenes, the counsellors were quietly moving mountains. After getting permission from her parents and Camp Kindle’s nursing manager, the counsellors made the necessary adjustments to the course and harness to accommodate Thea’s tiny frame. “Thea, more than anything, just wanted to be a kid,” says Patrick. “She just wanted to participate and be treated the same. This, we quickly learned is the underlying foundation of what Kids Cancer Care is built on.” Cont. on page 4
Thea enjoying a ride of a lifetime on the zip line at Camp Kindle
Photo courtesy of Roelofsen Family
But together, we changed that.
GRATITUDE REPORT
Unique Perspectives Photography
Some 30 years ago, I found myself in a similar place as Lesley and Patrick Roelofsen. I too had lost a child to cancer. At that time, there were no programs or services for families facing this cruel and unremitting disease.
“Thea is a girl who could best be defined by her exuberance for life and her enviable ability to see only possibilities — to see the wonder and awe that surrounded her each and every day. With curiosity as her guide and her infectious energy, she celebrated every occasion, big or small, every relationship and every moment with a giggle and a Snapchat picture.” — Patrick Roelofsen
Cover & this photo by Michael Gibbons
As we say goodbye to 2019 and welcome 2020, I remain grateful for your tremendous support.
2019
Unique Perspectives Photography
Unique Perspectives Photography
Your generosity touches the lives of our families in so many ways.
You helped Thea to live life on her own terms
CEO message
camp
Today, thanks to your generosity, families like ours find healing and support at Kids Cancer Care. Here, they are welcomed into a community of families who understand. Together, these families rebuild their lives through our year-round programs. This edition of Kids Candidly, featuring our 2019 Gratitude Report, demonstrates the range of programming your support makes possible. Please know that your generosity is making a difference in the lives of children and families every day. Thea’s story is a rich illustration of this. Thank you for believing in our vision of providing A cure for every child and care for every family. With gratitude,
Christine McIver, M.S.M., LLD (Hon), CFRE Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Lives you changed in 2019 883 happy campers
5 kids
EXPLORING THEIR POTENTIAL AND REBUILDING THEIR LIVES AT CAMP
CONQUERING THEIR FEAR AND ANXIETY AROUND MEDICAL TREATMENTS THROUGH CHILD LIFE AT HOME
76 kids MANAGING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENTS THROUGH THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE AT PEER
22 teens
36 kids
GAINING THE SKILLS AND LIFE LESSONS THEY NEED TO BE TOMORROW’S LEADERS THROUGH OUR TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
BENEFITTING FROM 1,600+ HOURS OF TUTORING SUPPORT AND LESSON PLANNING
50+ parents
11 kids with cancer GETTING THE EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT THEY NEED AT SCHOOL THROUGH CANCER IN THE CLASSROOM
$24K in scholarships HELPING 11 CANCER SURVIVORS CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE THROUGH POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
310 nutritious home-cooked meals FEEDING 16 NEWLY DIAGNOSED FAMILIES THROUGH COOKING AND CARING
“Thea wasn’t going to let a little something like age, size or cancer get in her way.” — Patrick
You could say Thea came into the world with an extra dose of exuberance and a greater share of resilience. But then again life would demand a lot more of this little girl. She would need these qualities in spades. Thea was seven years old when she was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Shortly after diagnosis, her parents Lesley and Patrick Roelofsen learned the cancer had spread to her lungs. Thea endured 18 months of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
GETTING A MUCH-NEEDED BREAK THROUGH OUR PARENT PROGRAM
811 pizzas BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER DURING WEEKLY PIZZA NIGHTS AT THE HOSPITAL
Volunteers GIVING 27,000+ HOURS TO MAKE OUR PROGRAMS POSSIBLE, SAVING THE FOUNDATION $700,000+ OR THE EQUIVALENT OF 13 FULL-TIME POSITIONS
Thanks to you, the Roelofsen family found healing and support through our Pizza Nights at the hospital. Every Wednesday evening, they connected with other families on the cancer unit, sharing their fears and concerns, their hopes and dreams over pizza.
L-R Brynn and Thea enchanted by magic tricks at our SunRise day camp
Six months into treatment, the doctors informed the Roelofsens that the tumours in Thea’s lungs were not disappearing. They were, in fact, growing. The cancer was relentless and the treatments aggressive, but Thea never allowed any of it to slow her down. With your generous support, Thea and her sister Brynn enjoyed a week of summer camp in 2016 and 2017. Nestled in the Alberta foothills, Camp Kindle offered eight-year-old Thea a whole new world of possibility and adventure.
The Roelofsen family
“Thea was immediately drawn to the impressive high ropes and zip line,” recalls Patrick. “When she inquisitively asked when they would be going on that, the response she got was that it was reserved for kids 12 years and over. In typical Thea fashion, she was determined to conquer that course. She continued to persuade the counsellors. Thea wasn’t going to let a little something like age, size or cancer get in her way.” While the official answer was no to the high ropes, behind the scenes, the counsellors were quietly moving mountains. After getting permission from her parents and Camp Kindle’s nursing manager, the counsellors made the necessary adjustments to the course and harness to accommodate Thea’s tiny frame. “Thea, more than anything, just wanted to be a kid,” says Patrick. “She just wanted to participate and be treated the same. This, we quickly learned is the underlying foundation of what Kids Cancer Care is built on.” Cont. on page 4
Thea enjoying a ride of a lifetime on the zip line at Camp Kindle
Photo courtesy of Roelofsen Family
But together, we changed that.
GRATITUDE REPORT
Unique Perspectives Photography
Some 30 years ago, I found myself in a similar place as Lesley and Patrick Roelofsen. I too had lost a child to cancer. At that time, there were no programs or services for families facing this cruel and unremitting disease.
“Thea is a girl who could best be defined by her exuberance for life and her enviable ability to see only possibilities — to see the wonder and awe that surrounded her each and every day. With curiosity as her guide and her infectious energy, she celebrated every occasion, big or small, every relationship and every moment with a giggle and a Snapchat picture.” — Patrick Roelofsen
Cover & this photo by Michael Gibbons
As we say goodbye to 2019 and welcome 2020, I remain grateful for your tremendous support.
2019
Unique Perspectives Photography
Unique Perspectives Photography
Your generosity touches the lives of our families in so many ways.
You helped Thea to live life on her own terms
YOUR GIFTS AT WORK, TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER
how to help
WINTER 2020 ISSUE
BE A MONTHLY MAKE A ONE- RIDE A DONOR TIME GIFT MOTORCYCLE Unique Perspectives Photography
Even a small monthly gift adds up over time to make a lasting difference in the lives of children with cancer.
No matter how big or small, every dollar counts in the battle against childhood cancer.
Join the 2020 Kinsmen Ride for a Lifetime. A 3-day VIP motorcycle ride: June 19-21. Register today! rideforalifetime. dojiggy.com
Thea
GO TO A GALA
BE BRAVE
Celebrate the legends of the silver screen at Parents’ Quest for the Cure: Silver Screen Gala, presented by MNP, on Saturday, March 7. Help raise funds for children’s cancer research.
Shave, cut or colour your lid for a kid, while raising funds for children with cancer. Register your Big Brave fundraiser today.
YOU GAVE THEA A BREAK FROM FIGHTING CANCER
Donate, register or learn more at kidscancercare.ab.ca today.
camp
Sadly, this would be Thea’s last Camp Kindle experience. When her pain became unbearable in August 2017, her treatment team regrouped and adjusted her pain management. This meant multiple pumps, lines and needle pokes in her body and five more rounds of radiation. Amid the gruelling treatments, Thea remained focused on a few things she needed to do. One was to attend her first day of grade three. The second was to make it to one more Dad and Daughter Gala. In October 2017, just two weeks before she passed, Patrick and his daughters attended the gala. The girls had the time of their lives, but for Patrick, it was much more than just a fun night out with his girls.
As the years pass and the Roelofsens learn to live without Thea, they are finding healing and support through Kids Cancer Care. Thanks to you, nine-year-old Brynn is building lasting friendships at camp and the whole family is finding support at Family Camp. “The fear of every parent who has lost a child is that as time goes on their child will be forgotten,” says Lesley. “Kids Cancer Care does a lot to ensure that doesn’t happen and has a special night called Time to Remember, where we gather to remember our children taken by cancer.” Thank you! Your support means everything to kids like Thea and their families.
“It represented her graduating from high school, graduating from university, getting married and every milestone in between, where we could have shared one more dance together. I think we were the last to leave that night!”
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta 5757 4 Street SE Calgary, Alberta T2H 1K8
kidscancercare.ab.ca
Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is a registered Canadian charity #89940 9171 RR0001.
Thea in her dad’s arms at the Dad and Daughter Gala
Because you cared, Thea and her sister Brynn experienced the magic of camp together one last time.
Photo courtesy of Roelofsen Family
Cont. from page 3
Thea at the hospital with her million dollar smile
The Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is planning to raise an estimated $4.3M this year, which will cost the organization an estimated $1.3M to raise. All monies raised will be used for board-approved programs and projects that benefit the families we serve.
kidscancercare.ab.ca