We all have our reasons for supporting Kids Cancer Care. Mine is my son, Erik. By the grace of God, he is with us today. He is among the lucky ones, who can say that they beat cancer. In his case, not only did he beat cancer; he beat cancer twice!
When Erik was only two years old, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. That was just over seven years ago. Like all families of children diagnosed with cancer, we were devastated.
On March 21, 2010, I brought Erik to the emergency department at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, because his leg was hurting. He had also been developing some unusual small bumps on his chest and neck that were turning purple. I remember paying for only one-hour of parking, thinking we’d be in and out in no time. The doctor ran some blood tests and the results were shocking.The reason his leg was hurting was because his bones were expanding from the internal pressure caused by the rapid growth of leukemic cells in his bone marrow.
Erik and his father Paul early into the cancer journey
Erik was immediately admitted into the oncology unit and a team of doctors quickly produced a custom-tailored treatment protocol of intense chemotherapy. That anticipated one-hour visit to the hospital turned into six months.
The Alberta Children’s Hospital, a place we had never even been to before, became our second home. My wife Carol moved in to the hospital with Erik to help provide around-the-clock care. Our family was instantly torn apart. I visited them every day after work and then returned home to care for our other two boys.
Back then, our oldest boy Alex was four years old and our youngest boy Sammy was only a baby. Occasionally, they could visit Erik. However, because of his compromised immune system, this wasn’t often. Special precautions were often required of anyone entering Erik’s room. This involved removing outside footwear and clothing and using sanitizer. Visitors often had to wear a hospital gown, gloves, a hair net and a mask to prevent what could be a deadly infection because his immune system was so compromised by the chemotherapy.
On September 17, 2010, after six grueling months, we were finally discharged, with the great pronouncement that Erik was in remission — meaning that they could not detect any leukemic cells through blood tests. We continued with frequent follow-up visits to the hospital and numerous additional blood tests over the next year.
On the one-year anniversary of his discharge, we hosted a large celebration, with over 100 people. Erik had beaten cancer and we celebrated loud and proud. AML is an aggressive cancer with only a 50 per cent chance of survival. We felt incredibly fortunate and wanted to share that blessing with the entire world.
After a continued period of compromised immunity and ongoing precautions, our lives slowly returned to normal. Erik started pre-school sometime in January 2011 and returned, with some limitations, to certain extra-curricular activities.
Not overly impressed with the central line in his chest
After two wonderful years in remission, our worst fear came true. On December 1, 2012, very early in the morning, Erik climbed into our bed, complaining that he wasn’t feeling well. After a short time, we noticed that he was rapidly losing control over his balance and neurological functions. He lost his ability to speak and then could not stand. The entire left side of his body was effectively paralyzed.
I rushed Erik back to the hospital. They ran more tests and confirmed that the same cancer was back. CT scan images revealed that leukemic cells had completely infiltrated his brain. This could not be detected through his regular blood tests. A spinal tap and bone marrow aspirate further revealed that the cancer had spread throughout his bone marrow and central nervous system.
At this point, the prognosis was grim. I had always believed that if Erik’s cancer returned, he would not survive. I thought for sure this time we would lose our son. The oncologists, on the other hand, maintained a positive level of guarded optimism. Erik was immediately re-admitted and placed on an even more intensive regime of chemotherapy.
After relapsing, Erik’s only hope for survival was a bone marrow transplant, which this generous Texan Brent Lewlling made possible by undergoing surgery to donate his stem cells through a bone marrow transplant
The only hope of surviving this relapse was through a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, no one in his family was a match for Erik, so they had to search the international stem cell database. Luckily, three perfect matches were found and the process of further testing and screening these anonymous persons began.
After several months of living at the hospital and going through the horrors of treatment all over again, it was time to prepare Erik for the transplant. This involved completely eradicating every living cell in his bone marrow. First, Erik was subjected to radiation every day for a period of three weeks, starting with a period of direct radiation to his brain, followed by a period of radiation to his entire spinal cord and brain and, finally, by a period of full-body radiation.
After this intense radiation, they administered an additional super toxic dose of an ultra potent chemo drug, in order to ensure complete annihilation of the cancer cells. This was also administered directly into his spine. They said that Erik’s body had to be destroyed before they could rebuild him. They literally took him to the brink of death. I didn’t know which was worse, the disease or the treatment. He required frequent blood transfusions, he was taking countless medications to combat the plethora of side-effects, his skin was burned and peeling from radiation, all his hair fell out again, and he lost so much weight, you could see his bones.
On April 19, 2013, we were discharged again. This time, Erik’s recovery was very slow. For more than a year, he had very little energy and could not keep up with his brothers and friends. His weight also remained the same over the next 15 months. Eventually, his energy returned in leaps and bounds and, today, Erik is an active nine-year-old, engaged in many sports and extra-curricular activities.
Erik has come through the worst of it, but like so many childhood cancer survivors, his battles are really only beginning. The cancer treatments that saved his life, left him with learning problems. When Erik was spending precious time at the hospital, he should have been at school learning to read and write.
As a result, Erik fell behind in school, which started to affect his confidence and interest in learning. But last fall, Erik started participating in weekly tutor sessions with a tutor through Kids Cancer Care’s new Education Support Program.
With the dedicated support of his tutor and his mom, Erik is starting to make gains. He’s learned to do double-digit subtractions in math and his reading comprehension is improving. He’s also less anxious about learning, which is key, because he’s more willing to give things a try now. He knows he can get there, if he works hard and focuses. Despite having missed two years of school, Erik completed grade three last June (2016) and started grade four this fall.
Erik gets big hugs from his mother Carol and brother Alex.
We thank God every day for saving our little boy. We never take one single day for granted. We understand just how quickly and unexpectedly everything can change. The night before his relapse, Erik was training for a karate tournament. We were sparring in the living room and he was strong and fierce. Within only a few hours, he had to be carried to the hospital, in a paralyzed state, suffering massive seizures. He had been functioning perfectly, with brain cancer, and no one had a clue.
While we rejoice privately in his survival and hug and kiss and tell each other, countless times a day, how much we love each other, we are reticent to host any type of public celebration. But last July, we did host a celebration after finding Erik’s stem cell donor, a young man named Brent Lewelling from Beaumont, Texas. We flew Brent and his family to Calgary for a reunion and had a great time getting to know this hero who save our son’s life. We celebrated that day in honor of Brent and his generous decision to endure surgery to donate his stem cells and save a boy’s life.
But for the most part, we live with this uncomfortable balance between joyful appreciation and fearful insecurity. We can never again be certain of what is happening inside Erik’s little body or of how much longer we will have together. But, then again, none of us do. That is one of the profound mysteries of life.
So, I say CARPE DIUM! Live every day like it’s your last!
“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend”—Albert Camus.
Three years ago, Kids Cancer Care and the threat of cancer were far from my mind. I was 13 and my brother was 15 and in the full swing of basketball, volleyball and usual teenage life. It was in February that year that things took a turn for the worse.
Grant hadn’t been feeling well for some time, but he continued to play basketball and go to school. Mom finally put her foot down and took him to the clinic. The doctor said it was mono and sent Grant for blood work. That evening, Mom got a call that changed our lives forever.
“Abnormalities in Grant’s bloodwork. Get to the hospital right away. It could be Leukemia.” Words that still replay over and over in our minds.
Grant always had a smile and time for others–especially for wee cancer patients like Gracie
On February 12, 2011, Grant was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cancer of the blood, extremely treatable and a high cure rate. I remember hearing, “If you have to have cancer, this is the one you want.” Treatment would be long — 3 1/2 years — but it was almost all out-patient treatment.
At first, it was hard. Grant was always tired and there were constant visits to the out-patient clinic and a few dreaded admissions to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. But the treatment seemed to be working. He was already in remission after 3 weeks.
I’ll never forget how quickly he seemed to be back to his normal, goofy self. And that gave me hope. Grant was able to go to his grade 9 graduation and we even made it to our yearly family camping trip with no major difficulties.
Grant (centre) went into remission for a few months and was able to make his grade nine graduation
The next two months were wonderful for him. He shot some hoops, went to the lake with friends, enjoyed golfing with Dad, camping with the family, riding his bike and playing volleyball and football with me — being a normal kid for a while.
Shortly after we came back from holidays, Grant was off to Camp Kindle. It was exciting for him to be with kids who could relate to his struggle, but also to be able to have fun with them outside of our family. When Grant came home a week later, he was a flurry of stories and pure enjoyment. He told us every detail of camp with a glimmer of happiness in his eye. He danced, hiked and rode the giant swing. Camp was an island of solitude amid the hurricane that was treatment and he really enjoyed it. A particular point of pride for Grant was that all the other kids assumed he was a sibling, instead of a patient, because he seemed so healthy and vibrant. He loved the experience.
Grant (centre) enjoying one of his last outdoor experiences with his buddies at Camp Kindle
Not too long after Grant got back in August, he started experiencing incredible pain all through his body. We assumed it was from overworking himself at camp, being the athletic boy he was. Unfortunately, we were wrong. After a period of confusion and minor distress, Grant was diagnosed again, this time with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer that has a poor survival rate in young people. After that, things got hard. He started a new, intense protocol, which meant long periods of hospitalization. There was a 2-week stay in the intensive care unit when he developed breathing problems, and seemingly endless bed-rest. That was a scary time, where things only seemed to be getting worse.
Grant gave patients, families and staff on unit one at the hospital a good laugh when he came as Chemo Man on Halloween night
When Grant developed painful skin blisters all over, his doctor ordered a punch biopsy. The biopsy revealed skin leukemia, evidence that the disease was aggressive and fatal. Although there was no treatment protocol for this, we were hopeful for experimental options and a miracle.
One day later, on September 16, 2011, surrounded by family, Grant passed away. His pain was unbearable, even with several pain medications, but he braved it with the strength of character that defined him his entire life. Grant died the way he lived—a leader.
Knowing his time to leave was fast-approaching, Grant said, “Please get everyone here.” Eighteen people were gathered at his bedside when he passed away. There would be no more basketball or skiing or camp for my brother Grant.
For those who weren’t at his bedside, he had another plan. “Please pass me my phone,” he said. I gave him his cell phone and he sent three texts:
To Bret, he wrote: “You’re my best friend.”
To Sydney, a girl he met playing basketball at the age of five: “You are the first and last girl I ever loved.”
To Lauren, he wrote: “You were like a sister to me.”
Cancer is far from unheard of in our world; it’s in movies, creates a plot line on a TV show, and we all know someone who has or had it. But we never expect it to hit so close to home. Cancer isn’t supposed to affect the young, the innocent and vulnerable kids of our world. I think that’s why dealing with all this was so hard and almost surreal. You really have no idea what it’s like until it hits home.
L-R Grant’s mother Melanie, sister Ali, Grant and his father Jim
But amid the loss and grief came an isle of hope in Kids Cancer Care. As a family, we were able to find respite in their constant offers of care and support.
I got the opportunity to go to Teen Camp in November of 2011. I’ll always appreciate having the chance to experience what Grant enjoyed so much even for just a little while. I even got to meet some people who knew Grant and it really helped me to hear how much they cared.
Others also stepped up to show their support. My father’s former employer J and L Supply made a large donation to the Camp Kindle Capital Campaign in Grant’s memory. As a result, the tipi village at Camp Kindle is now named the Grant Skalk Tipi Village. The night we blessed the tipi village and unveiled the plaque in Grant’s name was incredible. So many friends and family came out to participate in the ceremony and celebration. We could feel Grant all around us that night. I will always remember it.
L-R Jim, Ali and Melanie Skalk, Christine McIver of Kids Cancer Care and Kim and Sean Carey of J and L Supply during the naming ceremony of the Grant Skalk Tipi Village at Camp Kindle
Eventually, the community of Kids Cancer Care led us to Tour for Kids Alberta and other events like the Kinsmen Ride for a Lifetime, my dad’s guilty pleasure, where we get to fundraise and volunteer and help make even a small difference. Being able to contribute to this cause, so close to my heart and many other people’s hearts, means so much to me. I hope to keep making a difference someday by becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Grant’s father Jim Skalk (above) and the whole family continue to give back in Grant’s memory by volunteering and participating in fundraising events such as the Kinsmen Ride for a Lifetime
For those reasons and many more, I am so appreciative of everything the community does to support Kids Cancer Care. I am grateful knowing that so many others care and that they are making a difference.
—Ali Skalk, Grant’s sister
L-R The Skalk family during their last summer vacation with Grant at Surveyor’s Lake in BC
Ali’s dad Jim is featured in our 2017 Father’s Day video:
Kids Cancer Care and Canadian Blood Services have teamed up in the fight against childhood cancer. Over 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada; many of them needing blood products in order to support their treatments. By donating blood, you are helping each child fight their battle with cancer. It’s in you to give – book your blood donation appointment in honour of Grant today.
Grant’s photo gallery
Grant (centre) with classmates after they shaved their heads and raised money for Kids Cancer Care in his honour
On this first day of school, my niece’s 15th birthday, a week from the 2-year mark in this dedicated month, I sit here in my office, tears streaming down my face, just wanting my girl back.We were a happy family that loved being together, laughing, dancing, travelling, living life to the fullest and then our 11-year-old daughter Edyn was diagnosed with a GBM, a glioblastoma multiforme. This is an incurable brain tumour typically found in adults, extremely uncommon in children and in that instant our lives changed forever. How do we take that step out of the consultation room toward Edyn and her younger brother Simon? How, and what, do we tell them? At that moment Michael and I made a pact that this wasn’t going to tear us apart, that the four of us were and always will be a team. The next step was the first step of the rest of our lives.
(L-R) Edyn, Michael (dad), Simon and Kristyn (mom)
Initially, we told Edyn and Simon that there was a mass in her brain that was causing the pain and double vision she had been experiencing over the past 3 weeks. Edyn would have to have surgery to remove the majority of the tumour to release the pressure. That was all we knew at that point, so we said no more. We didn’t know what type of tumour it was; we didn’t have any other facts to share other than that this was the start of Edyn’s journey. At that time, Edyn didn’t ask for more information, she just wanted to take steps toward to feeling better.
Thirty-six hours later, Edyn was prepped and transported for surgery. Outside the operating theatre, the surgical team reviewed their surgical prep list. Once the team was satisfied with the preparations, the head neurosurgeon asked Edyn if she had any questions. To the team’s surprise Edyn replied, “Let’s just do this.” She gave Michael and I a kiss, we shared our love and off she went. It was the longest 9 hours of our lives. Once in the recovery room, the head paediatrician in the PICU checked on Edyn as she was waking up from the anaesthetic. The doctor knew everything had gone well when she asked Edyn how she was doing. Edyn answered with an abrupt, “I feel like s*@#!”
At the hospital lab
The next stage of the journey was about to start. Life in intensive care with your child is a moment-to-moment experience. “With big problems come big complications,” one nurse told me. Edyn had a bit of a roller coaster ride over the next couple of weeks before her health stabilized and she could come home for a visit. The first visit home was Christmas day. Simon and I went to the hospital first thing that morning with a picnic breakfast and a suitcase full of gifts to celebrate with Edyn and Michael. When we finished our mini-celebration, we bundled Edyn up and took her home for a few hours in between medication doses. It was so great to have her home, all four of us together. We spent the next week making these daily visits until Edyn could be fully discharged on her 12th birthday. Oh did we celebrate that day!
Next, we focused on Edyn getting back to school. We all agreed that it was the best for her. Edyn wanted to be a regular kid, doing regular things. She didn’t want a pity party or to play “the cancer card.” After a bit of coaching from the oncology social work team; the school and Edyn’s class were as ready for her return as we were. The idea was to try to start the day with everyone else and come home when she had had enough. Even though Edyn began an intensive 6-week radiation and chemotherapy program at the same time, she managed to attend school almost every day until the end of the school year. Once the 6-week treatment program was complete there was a 2-week break before the regular chemo schedule started. We had already booked a trip to Hawaii, which happened to fall within these 2 weeks, so off we went. More than anything Edyn wanted to surf. It was an amazing time together, a holiday we all cherish. Over the next months there were trips to Fernie, Lake O’Hara, New York City, Ontario to visit family, camp for Edyn and cottage time.
Living life fully after diagnosis, lots of snowboarding, hiking and travelling with loved ones
We returned to Calgary in mid-August. It was clear at this time that Edyn’s health was in decline. We all wanted to believe it was just another phase in the battle, but within a week we were moved into the Rotary Flames House, which was the beginning of our last month together. The care for our whole family was so amazing that we didn’t have anything to do other than be together. We continued to live life as we knew it as best we could. As Edyn slipped further away the three of us joined forces even stronger. Peacefully, on September 13, in my arms, the four of us said goodbye to our life as we knew it.
Edyn and Mom at the Banff Music Festival
Edyn was wise beyond her years. There was a calm about her, sometimes so calm that it seemed like nothing was urgent. Edyn taught us to live in the moment, to be present. Even throughout her cancer journey Edyn accepted all that had to be done to help her: the surgery, the countless pokes (needles), the specialized medical teams that would take up the mornings examining her, living in-hospital for a month, radiation, chemotherapy and so much more.
Although I am convinced Edyn knew more than anyone what was happening to her, she didn’t feel sorry for herself. She never gave up and never felt like a victim. At a family dinner one night she quietly told her Nana that she accepted her fate.
Precious time at home
Every day with Edyn was filled with joy and laughter. Our house was a happy place filled with joy, whether it was making her brother laugh; dancing around the house; posting goofy videos or simply loving life. Edyn recognized the good in everyone she met and stood up for those who needed help. Edyn knew how to treat people kindly and she had incredible empathy. There was a lightness to life with Edyn. I’ve never met anyone who was so comfortable in her own skin, so real. In her much too short life, Edyn touched so many people so deeply.
Most of our network lives far away so we do things that everyone can participate in on social media or with themselves at home. One of the first events in Edyn’s name was the Shave Your Lid for a Kid® at Bishop Pinkham School. It was one of the biggest shave events in Kids Cancer Care history. We participate in an annual fundraising walk for the camp Edyn went to for kids with cancer; we plan silly activities to honour Edyn’s birthday; we have planted numerous trees in her honour; we light a candle and look to the stars on September 13. We continue to support the research fund we have in Edyn’s name at ACH throughout the year to recognize special occasions. Most importantly, we have infused #wwed (what would Edyn do) into our daily lives. In difficult moments #wwed helps us focus on the positive and brings us back to the present.
Students from Bishop Pinkham School came out in droves to honour Edyn by shaving their heads and raising funds for Kids Cancer Care and raised a record-breaking $92,000, which was later topped up to $100,000 by an anonymous donor
So here we are 2 years after Edyn’s death and we manage to keep moving forward. We are managing our life filled with grief and sadness. We do find the joy and laughter more and more. Our life will never be the same but we are eternally grateful and feel privileged for having had Edyn in our lives. Her energy is all around, her presence almost tangible at times. It’s healing. The memories become more valuable than ever. I cherish the visits from butterflies and the sightings of rainbows and the stream of green traffic lights when we have to get to soccer practice. When I’m sitting on the dock, watching the loon family, feeling the warmth of the late summer sun on my face, squinting from the reflections on the water, I know Edyn is holding my hand. In these things I find peace. In our love for one another we three find peace.
–Kristyn, Edyn’s Mom
L-R Simon, Michael (dad) and Kristyn (mom): “In our love for one another we three find peace”-Kristyn
Edyn’s photo gallery
Edyn on one of many outdoor adventures
“We knew Sofia had an impact on the kids at school, but we had no idea it was so huge. Her shave event started out really small, but it just kept growing, with more and more kids shaving their heads”—Sofia’s mother Shelly Bhayana.
Sofia is just one of those kids other kids gravitate to. It’s no wonder. She’s loving and kind and always happy. At age six, she already makes a point of helping others, visiting other people going through cancer and baking cookies for her friends.
Sofia is also a cancer survivor, diagnosed with medullablastoma in May 2014—just before her fifth birthday. She endured repeated rounds of chemotherapy, followed by three stem cell transplants and finally proton therapy.
Sofia takes in all the love and support at Briar Hill School’s shave fundraising event, which raised over $17,000 for Kids Cancer Care programs.
But the very treatments that saved Sofia’s life, also forever changed her life. Suffering from treatment-related brain injury, Sofia now requires a walker for mobility, hearing aids and has speech impairment.
“After her surgery, Sofia was initially totally paralyzed,” says mom. “It was terrifying. She couldn’t talk, move or see. She was completely mute and blind. She couldn’t hug us for three months. This was the girl who was doing summersaults and jumping on the trampoline the week before her diagnosis.”
Although Sofia may never be fully independent again, she never gives up. She fights every day to get better. With intense therapy (up to three hours a day) Sofia has regained the ability to walk with a walker, talk with friends and family, feed herself and write again.
Despite her struggles, Sofia rarely complains. Little things bother her like why she can’t run or pull on her socks by herself like her brother or sister can. As much as she may want to, Sofia can’t do these things because she has balance issues related to the treatments she received.
But, for the most part, Sofia is a bright and cheerful child. An absolute joy to be around.
“When I drop her off at school in the morning, all the little girls line up to hug her,” says Mom. “It’s so sweet. The kids in her class have been so welcoming and supportive.”
Sofia drew a similar line of support last May, when students and family lined up to shave or decorate their lid for a kid to raise funds and awareness for Kids Cancer Care.
Thanks to our generous donors, Sofia was able to hit the slopes last winter with the rest of her family during our Family Ski Day. Kids Cancer Care’s first child to try adaptive skiing, Sofia loved it so much, she stayed out on the slopes for over two hours! Go Sofia!
Sofia’s parents, Shelly Bhayana and Naushad Hirani, her little sister Sonya and big brother Shaan cut or shaved off their hair. It was Sonya’s first hair cut and she donated 14 inches of hair to Angel Hair for Kids. Uncles, cousins and grandparents too joined in on the fun and shaved their lids. The students at Briar Hill School also stepped up and shaved their heads.
Sofia’s family has enjoyed Kids Cancer CareFamily Camps and Family Ski Day and the kids have enjoyed our summer camp programs, so when the family decided to plan a cancer fundraiser, Kids Cancer Care was an obvious choice.
What they didn’t know right away was how they would raise funds. They considered various options, but when Sofia said, “Mommy, I’m not going to have any hair, but I did have cancer and I’m okay now, so maybe we should do a shave event,” she hit the bull’s eye!
“Sofia’s hair may never grow again because the chemo and radiation damaged all the hair follicles,” says Shelly, “but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t be part of a shave event in her name.”
The Hirani family couldn’t have been more right. Together, Sofia’s family and friends at school raised over $17,000 for Kids Cancer Care. Sofia brought in $9,105, making her one of our top shave fundraisers this year. Congratulations Sofia!
Thank you Sofia, for inspiring so much love and generosity in others.
Thank you to all the participants and donors involved in the Briar Hill School Shave Your Lid or Decorate Your Lid for a Kid event. The money you raised is enough to send 11 kids affected by cancer to summer camp next year.
Sofia with her family at her school’s shave event
Sofia and her mom
My name is Khadija Samoylove and I have just started a practicum for the fall semester working with teens at Kids Cancer Care. I am currently in my final year at the University of Calgary in the kinesiology program, and I am specializing in exercise and health physiology.
For my first project, I was asked to provide a small report outlining my current understanding of childhood cancer and Kids Cancer Care. I hope to look at this after my practicum and see where I stand then compared to what I know right now.
Cancer has always been a disease that scares me. Through all the research done, we are still not 100 per cent confident that it can be conquered. It is even more frightening thinking about having to deal with cancer as a child. When I think of childhood, I think of drinking juice boxes with friends on the playground and running around to play tag, not awaiting treatment in the hospital.
Through school, I was aware that leukemia was the most common type of childhood cancer, but I was unaware of the fact that lymphomas and brain tumors are also very common, as well as solid tumours. It is however, somewhat hopeful to know that children do respond better to treatment and are often able to survive cancer and go on to live fulfilling lives.
I have always been familiar with the general treatment types: chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. However, I was unaware of how drastic and hard some treatment types are, specifically bone marrow transplants. It is extremely hard to imagine having to undergo such treatment and being kept in isolation for such a long period of time.
Having a better understanding of childhood cancer and how it affects children and parents gives me a better idea of how important Kids Cancer Care is for these families. I was blown away by just how many programs and different aspects of support the foundation offers. It is my firm belief that children and teens of all ages and abilities should have some sort of support system, whether it is through their families or friends or other organizations. Kids Cancer Care is absolutely amazing at providing this. The fact that they have camps, activities, leadership programs, fun nights and simple acts of just giving back is making sure that kids and families affected by cancer have support in every way possible.
The importance of providing such support is immense. From my own experiences, leadership camps and having support throughout my childhood did wonders for my self-esteem and helped shape the person I am today. From that I can understand just how beneficial Kids Cancer Care is for kids who are dealing with much more than I could ever imagine.
I have already learned so much more about Kids Cancer Care and childhood cancer in the first week of being involved and I am looking forward to learning so much more! I am incredibly excited, and honestly a little nervous as I begin getting more deeply involved. I hope to provide the kids I am helping with as much knowledge and positive change as I know they are going to give me. Working over the rest of the semester with Kids Cancer Care is definitely going to be an amazing experience and one that I hope will help point me in the direction of a career path I would like to take in the future.
Most importantly, September is coincidentally Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! It is not too late to get involved and provide a little more joy into a child’s life. We know that the smallest things can make a huge impact, so anything and everything helps. Thank you!
Khadija Samoylove
Sherri and her co-worker Ashlee decided to make a positive impact in the lives of kids affected by cancer by shaving their lids for a kid. Sherri knows first hand the affects that cancer can have on a person and the ones who love them. This is her shave story….
On October 9, 2013, I shaved my head for Kids Cancer Care in honour of my grandmother, Mary McKeage and my friend Johan Groneman. Both passed away in 2013. I wanted to do something to acknowledge how inspiring they were and are to me, especially after their cancer diagnoses. The dignity with which they both accepted their illness was inspiring to me. And, their decision to live life to the fullest was apparent in how they lived the remainder of their lives.
I had no idea the effect this shave would have on me and those around me. My six-year-old daughter is so proud of me that she said she will shave her head for Kids Cancer Care when she’s an adult. My mom cried because she couldn’t believe how brave I am (her words, not mine). My brother donated $1,000 because he was so proud of me and wanted to do something good with his money. Everyone had something wonderful and inspiring and supportive to say to me and my coworker Ashlee who did it with me.
Five days ago, I had my bachelorette party at a nightclub. At one point in the night, I got really sad and took off my veil, garter and feather boa and threw them on the table with tears welling up in my eyes. My friend asked me what was wrong, “Everyone thinks I’m sick and it makes me feel really sad for people who ARE sick,” I said. I’m happy I decided to donate my hair to Angel Hair for Kids to be made into a wig. That night, people came up to me and gave me high fives and bought me drinks. Others thanked me for what I had done and hugged me.
This has been an amazing experience. I feel that I have brought some awareness to this cause and that makes me feel great! I have no regrets.
Kids Cancer Care is excited to announce that Tyler Hall and Danny Kid from 98-5 VIRGIN Radio will be shaving their lids for a kid at the Community Shave event on Saturday, September 7. Both Danny and Tyler have been involved in the Shave Your Lid for a Kid!® program through hosting events at Calgary school shaves. Kids Cancer Care knew it wouldn’t be too long before we could take the razor to their “virgin” heads!
Tyler has signed up to shave after being inspired by kids at local schools who have shaved, “to see a seven year old girl with beautiful blonde hair completely shave her head just because she wanted to help other kids who are sick, was a very intense experience for me.” Tyler hopes for happiness and health for his own son and sees this event as an opportunity to support families who are facing one of the darkness times of their lives.
Danny has been a proud support of Kids Cancer Care for many years and has helped host shave events at Woodbine and Evergreen Schools. It was at these events that he was inspired to get involved and make a difference.
Kids Cancer Care’s relationship with 98-5 VIRGIN Radio has been vital to success of our Shave Your Lid for a Kid!® program. We feel very fortunate to not only have the support of their on-air personalities but also their amazing team behind the scenes.
Sibyl Bigler, 98-5 VIRGIN Radio Promotions Director, states that “Kids Cancer Care (KCC) is a charitable organization that has been near and dear to 98-5 VIRGIN Radio’s heart for many years. Many of us here at 98-5 VIRGIN Radio know family, friends and co-workers affected directly by childhood cancer. 98-5 VIRGIN Radio will continue to support and create awareness of KCC to ensure families and children fighting cancer have the funding and programs needed to take steps forward in the right direction.”
Want to get involved? Join the 98-5 VIRGIN Radio Team and Shave Your lid for a Kid!® this September! If shaving isn’t an option, cut and donate your hair or shave your beloved mustache!
Every year our staff and volunteers get asked by our shavees and hair donors what they can do to get their hair to grow back faster! Here are some tips and myth busting advice:
Myth #1: A common myth associated with hair growth isif you want your hair to grow faster and healthier, you have to trim it once a month. The truth is frequent trimming does not promote hair growth. It only removes the tip section and makes it look well-kept and healthy.
Myth #2: Another common myth attached to hair growth is lathering kitchen staples like mayo and olive oil into your hair to add moisture and shine. While these foods do contain moisturizing properties, adding heaping handfuls of the stuff to your locks isn’t the ticket to silky hair! This can cause greasy hair, without promoting any hair growth at all!
Myth #3: Finally, the classic shampoo-and-conditioner-change-up myth. If your tried-and-true shampoo and conditioner don’t seem to be working as well as they used to, don’t rush out to pick up new brands. Contrary to popular belief, hair doesn’t “get used to” products—build-up and residue is usually to blame for lackluster locks.
Facts On average a person’s hair grows half an inch per month. Hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin. It is crucial that you get enough protein to get the best growth rate possible. Different sources recommend varied amounts of protein but generally two – three servings daily are adequate. Lean healthy protein sources include:
Poultry (preferably organic)
Fish and seafood
Beans and lentils
Tofu/Soy based meat substitutes (organic)
Eggs
Nuts
Experts recommend that for hair growth you need to forget myths and focus on vitamins and eating a balanced protein diet. The most effective vitamin for hair growth and health is biotin – a water-soluble vitamin B. Vitamin A is the most important substance for the development of the strong cells and muscle tissues of the body including the cells that make up the hair.
We hope that the information provided in this blog will help you save time, money and energy while focusing on hair growth!
In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, Kids Cancer Care will be hosting our first annual community shave event! We are encouraging individuals, teams, community groups and co-workers to band together to show support and raise funds for youth and their families affected by cancer.
The shave is taking place on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at the Trico Centre (11150 Bonaventure Drive SE, Calgary) and you won’t want to miss it! This event is a pledge-based program in which event participants will set a fundraising goal and seek to achieve that goal by requesting donations. You can choose to participate in the Kids Cancer Care Community Shave event in the following ways:
Shave Your Lid for a Kid!®
This bold move shows moral support for the children and youth who lose their hair during cancer treatments. By shaving it all off you also have the option to donate your hair to make wigs for kids.
Cut for Kids The idea of shaving your head can be a bit overwhelming; another way to get involved is to donate your hair. By cutting your hair, you’ll be helping create wigs for children who need them. Click here for more information about hair donation.
Stash for Cash This is a fun and new addition to the Shave Your Lid for a Kid!® program! We will see some brave men shaving their beloved mustaches in support of Kids Cancer Care.
This event gives you and/or your team the opportunity to be a part of an incredible community initiative working towards a cure for every child and care for every family. Funds raised at this event will go toward funding Kids Cancer Care camp and community programs, hospital programs, research and scholarships.To learn more about Kids Cancer Care, please watch our Foundation video or click here for more information.
CP Rail has been a long-time supporter of the Shave Your Lid for a Kid program — 16 years to be exact! CP Rail is hosting their 16th annual Shave Your Lid for a Kid event this year on June 20, at Gulf Canada Square. Ray Wallinga has been the coordinator of the CP Rail shave event for many years. Below he shares his story from the 2012 head shave when his brave 16-year- old daughter participated. This is their story…
I lost my Dad to cancer on June 11, 1994 — two months before my son Alex, his first grandson, was born. My Mom had fought skin cancer about 10 years ago but has been healthy ever since (keeping our fingers crossed).
Last year my daughter Claudia (picture) shaved her head for Kids Cancer Care, a week after her 16th birthday. I was extremely proud of her. I know how hard it was my first shave in 1999 and I actually chickened out in 1998 because I was too vain. It has gotten easier every year since and now it’s pretty much just getting my summer hair cut every June. When I think about how hard that first time was for a 41 year old guy to shave, I’m even more amazed that my beautiful 16 year old daughter could bring herself to do it. I’d like to think it was my wife’s and my amazing child-raising skills but I know in my heart my daughter’s morals, convictions and her caring for others less fortunate than her, that inspired her to do it.
Kids Cancer Care does a great job in giving kids with cancer a place to go and be a kid at again at Camp Kindle. In addition, they also have made a shaved head something to be really proud of…pretty cool!
