When Crispin Arthur told his family that his nine-year tenure with the Kids Cancer Care Board of Directors would soon end, his daughter Jane had only one question for him: “Will they still let you go to the Dad and Daughter Gala?” It’s a question that’s top-of-mind for many Calgary girls—given that tickets sell-out within seconds every year.
Jane and her father have been attending the gala since 2009, when Crispin chaired the volunteer committee that first launched the event. Little did they know the sweet little event, which raised $40,000 in its first year, would grow into one of Calgary’s premier events, annually raising more than $350,000 and commanding a waiting list for tickets that’s longer than the current guest list.
What Jane may not realize is that her father has accomplished a lot more during his volunteer tenure than launch the foundation’s most popular fundraising event.
A partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, Crispin has been chair of the board these past four years and was secretary to the board for five before that. He and his fellow board members have guided the foundation through its largest growth period—from overseeing a $12.5-million capital fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate Camp Kindle to making a $3.75-million commitment to the Experimental and Applied Therapeutics research program at the University of Calgary.
Crispin was also one of 10 corporate leaders to kick-off the High Hopes Challenge in 2011, collectively raising $159,000 in its first year. Every year since, a new cohort of Calgary business leaders have been paired with young cancer survivors to take on the Challenge Course at Camp Kindle and raise another $100,000. Now in its fifth year, the High Hopes Challenge has raised more than $640,000 and is poised to raise another $125,000 this year.
Although Crispin is no longer playing an official role at Kids Cancer Care, his influence will long be felt. In addition to volunteering his time, Crispin became a steadfast donor, regularly giving to our research and scholarship programs and to the Camp Kindle Capital Campaign.
Last year, he committed to taking that support even further when he became a founding member of the ReKindle Society. A group of generous philanthropists who have made an exceptional commitment to give a minimum of $2,500 each year for five years, the ReKindle Society will be instrumental in helping Kids Cancer Care apply long-range, strategic planning toward its vision.
So to answer Jane’s question, “Will they still let you go to the Dad and Daughter Gala?” we must give a resounding yes! Crispin is looking forward to hosting a number of his clients, colleagues and their daughters through his on-going sponsorship of this event. And Jane will be right there by his side.
But fundraising and official board responsibilities aside, Crispin will always be remembered as the amiable, down-to-earth chairman of the board, who made a point of meeting the staff and volunteers behind the scenes, acknowledging their value and contributions with a simple smile and genuine interest.
Thank you, Crispin and 300+ volunteers, for sharing your passion and expertise with us.