#camp for keeps

[dothehappy]

Findacure Cabin

From a young age, Rommi Shay was taught that it was important to give back. Her family has always embraced philanthropy and Rommi, first as a SickKids kid and now as a SickKids Foundation staff member, has been involved in numerous charitable activities to support SickKids since she was in high school.

Rommi’s close-knit family supports individual causes, but they are all passionate about finding a cure for childhood cancers. Cancer runs in the Shay family so Rommi, her siblings, their spouses and her parents have all joined forces to participate in the Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure. They believe SickKids is an institution capable of helping future generations of kids grow up strong and healthy.

Comprised of 12 members, the Findacure Cabin is The Great Camp Adventure’s largest. With a collective goal of $6,000, Rommi knows that her family will make a difference for The Hospital for Sick Children. Rommi had another motivation for getting involved in The Great Camp Adventure; she realized it was a great way for her entire family to spend some quality time together.

In honour of Global Child Health Day, Big Campers and Camp Crew can save $30 and register for only $35; Little Campers and Jr. Camp Crew can save $25 and register for just $10 with these codes:

Big Campers/Crew: fdbig14 Little Campers/Jr. Camp Crew: fdlittle14

This offer is only valid until midnight tonight, so join the Findacure Cabin and get your entire family on board for 2014! Spend more quality time with your loved ones while supporting child health at SickKids. This is the last time we will be offering these savings in 2014 so register today and don’t miss out on the adventure of the year!

[dothehappy]

Paying tribute to their first-born

Ashley and Trevor Herron’s daughters, Piper and Harper, never got to meet their older sister Marley, who was born in 2009 with a heart malformation. Though she was ultimately transferred to SickKids for a series of surgeries and procedures, her heart could not be repaired and she passed away one month after her birth.

While it was a very difficult time for the Herron family, “we feel that every intervention that was medically possible was made available to Marley,” said Ashley. “We will be forever grateful for the care that Marley received at SickKids.”

Ashley believes that “everyone we dealt with from nurses, social workers and volunteers to doctors, our case coordinator and surgeon all were exceptional at their jobs. We felt like we were informed about what was happening at all times, our opinions and decisions were encouraged and respected and the staff took the time to make sure we were informed of what was happening at all times.” During her pregnancies with both Piper and Harper, SickKids also provided early prenatal fetal echocardiograms to ease Ashley and Trevor’s anxieties.

The Herron family wanted to find a new way to keep the memory of Marley alive with their young children, so have recently made the decision to participate in The Great Camp Adventure. “It will be a day that we consciously do something positive in memory of Marley and also bring a positive awareness of Marley to our younger children who didn’t get to meet her,” said Ashley. They are thrilled to pay tribute to their first-born and are very much looking forward to spending the day together as a family.

To support the Herron family, visit their online fundraising page. You can also join them on September 27, 2014 by registering today at www.campforkeeps.com or calling 416.44KEEPS (416.445.3377).

[dothehappy]

Q107 contest winner surprises SickKids kid with trip to Disney World

After learning about the Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure back in March, Kevin Sharkey registered immediately. His seven year old neighbour, Ella Bennett, had been diagnosed with a heart defect at two weeks old. After undergoing surgery at SickKids when she was nine months, Ella is now healthy, happy and the “daughter [Kevin] never had.”

Kevin registered as part of the Q107 contest, which offered participants the opportunity to win a trip for four to Disney World. Last week, Kevin was contacted by Ryan Parker of Q107, who informed him he had won the trip. Kevin immediately called Ella’s mom, Sarah, whom he had participated in the event with, and offered the trip to their family.

“I just can’t describe how grateful I am,” said Sarah. “This is so amazing, especially for Ella. She’s over the moon.” The Bennetts, who have become very close with Kevin over the past four years, pleaded with him to join them on the holiday, even offering to pay his way. “Kevin fills the role of a grandparent to our girls,” said Sarah. “He is an older role model who is a constant in their lives.” Unfortunately, Kevin’s upcoming move to Calgary for work means that he will not be able to join the family on vacation.

Though Ella is “crushed” by Kevin’s move, they already have big plans to speak over Skype and Kevin is planning to return to spend Christmas with the Bennett family. He will also be back again in September so that they can all participate in the 2014 Great Camp Adventure.

“The event was absolutely incredible,” said Kevin. “We were all blown away by the people and how amazingly organized everything was. It was so emotional and touching that I will definitely come back to Toronto to participate next year.” To join Kevin and the Bennett family in 2014, visit campforkeeps.com or call 416-445-3377.

[dothehappy]

Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Registration Promotion

The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure may have just ended, but we’re already planning for next year. We want you to walk the walk with us in 2014.

Take advantage of our special registration promotion which runs until October 18. When you use the special promo codes, Big Campers and Camp Crew can register for only $20 and Little Campers and Junior Crew can register for only $10.

Whether you are a returning camper/crew or are interested in participating for the first time, we encourage you to sign up early to take advantage of this special promotion.

Visit the Great Camp Adventure website and register using the following Special Promo Codes:

Big Camper/Camp Crew: camper14 Little Camper/Junior Crew: camp14

And while supplies last, we’ve got some lovely toques for every registration. Just pop by our Foundation office to pick one up. Call 416-445-3377 to speak with one of our Camp Counsellors today.

Register today! We look forward to walking with you in 2014.

Check out our highlight video from the 2013 Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure. 

[dothehappy]

Eight sore feet and four warmed hearts

GUEST BLOG – Rosalina Lin-Allen

The Allen family has been sharing their experience participating in their first charity event as a family. Here is the final post from Rosalina as she reflects on the inaugural Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure.

My family participated in our first family charity event together yesterday - The Great Camp Adventure benefiting SickKids - along with my work family at Delvinia and AskingCanadians. Prior to committing, I was a bit wary of the $1,300 fundraising goal we had as a family and the lofty goal of completing a 20 km trek, given the ages of my children (ages 6 & 9). However, my husband Mike and I decided to give this worthwhile cause a try and instill in our children the importance of giving back. We ended up raising a total of $1,805 as a family with the support of family, friends and colleagues! My work family, Team Delvinia and AskingCanadians, also exceeded its fundraising goal and raised over $6,000!

At the event, we learned that there were 1,400 participants with a total of $1.3 million dollars raised. In addition, there were also countless energetic volunteers. It was amazing to see so many people in our community who cared enough to come out. While the size of the group was large, it felt very intimate. Perhaps it was because the group had a common bond in advancing kids health. The ice breaker question “What brings you here?” was often followed with answers around how their families have benefited from SickKids. We even ran into a couple of old friends at the event. We had no idea their families too have been positively affected by SickKids. My husband and I were struck by the impact SickKids made to our community. This further validated that our time and effort was for a worthy cause.

The bonus of the event was a fun-filled day for the children. Between badge collecting and fun activities (e.g. petting zoo, lego building), the children were engaged for the whole day. It is really very rare to find charity fundraising activities that are so well-suited for families in the city. This one certainly tops the list.

In the end, we did not complete the full 20 km but vowed to get further next year when our children get bigger and stronger. Before we meet again, Great Camp Adventure, we also hope the many children currently at SickKids and the many children experiencing health challenges can also get healthier and stronger.

We left the event with eight sore feet and four warmed hearts. Great event SickKids! See you next year!

[dothehappy]

The Allen Family is ready for the Great Camp Adventure

GUEST BLOG – Rosalina Lin-Allen

Rosalina and her family will take part in The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure this Saturday, and they’ve agreed to share their experience with us. Here is Rosalina’s first blog on the family’s motivation to participate.

My family is participating in our first family charity event together tomorrow - The Great Camp Adventure benefiting SickKids. Along with my colleagues (my work family) at Delvinia and AskingCanadians, and their families, we will take on the 20km challenge-by-choice adventure walk.

My husband, Mike, and I have been very lucky. We are surrounded by supportive family members, good friends, good colleagues, and last but not least, two happy and healthy boys – River and Forrest. We want to show our gratitude for our good fortune, support those that are less fortunate, and instill in our children the importance of giving back.

When I read about the two brothers that founded Free The Children, Craig and Marc Kielburger, I always think, “Boy! Their parents raised them well.” At the age of 12, Craig had already developed empathy for the less fortunate, was selfless enough to make sacrifices and had leadership skills to make a difference. I believe such leaders are nurtured and not born.

With such perspective as a parent, I have always kept my eyes open for the right opportunities to instill in my children the importance of giving back. When I became aware of the Great Camp Adventure event in support of SickKids, I jumped on it. Not only is it a fun family activity for the day (e.g. flag raising, camp songs), it is also a great opportunity to give back and involve my children in such a worthy cause.

To be honest, I was a bit wary of the $1,300 fundraising goal we had to raise as a family but thought we’d give it a go. I was really surprised as to how easy it was to attain our goal. My husband and I had only each sent a single email to our networks. Without reminders, friends, family and industry friends took the initiative to either donate immediately after our email or they remembered to donate a week or two later when they had a chance. This further affirms how lucky we are as a family, with so much love and support around us.

I want to thank our families, friends, and colleagues for their support. This experience provided positive reinforcement to our children in engaging in charitable fundraising and made me feel hopeful that, together, we as a community can solve big problems and make the world a better place for the generations to come.

Tomorrow, my husband Mike and two boys River and Forrest will aim to complete the 20km adventure walk with my work family at Delvinia and AskingCanadians. I look forward to it!

P.S. We plan for Sunday to be a quiet family rest day. Wish us luck!

[dothehappy]

Helping the hospital that helped the Frotten family

At three-and-a-half years old, Daniel Frotten was given a diagnosis that would shape him and his family for the rest of their lives. Daniel had leukemia.

Within two days of his diagnosis, he began his chemotherapy at SickKids. Luckily, Daniel responded very well to the treatments and completed his chemotherapy three years after diagnosis. Now a happy and healthy 10-year-old, Daniel is a straight-A student who enjoys playing hockey and spending time with his family.

“It was a difficult road,” said Daniel’s mom, Marlene. “But as bad of a situation as it was, great things came out of it. We’re stronger, more patient and more compassionate as a family.”

They are harnessing this compassion and participating together as a family in The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure. They want to do something “to help the hospital that helped our family.”

Marlene firmly believes that “Daniel did so well because someone donated money 15 years ago without knowing where their money was going. That money funded the hospital’s research, which resulted in a protocol that made a treatment which inevitably saved Daniel’s life.”

The Frotten family have been working hard to raise as much money as possible because they know “a small act of good now has a huge impact down the road.”

To join the Frotten family on September 28, register now at campforkeeps.com.

If you would like to contribute to their fundraising efforts, you can contribute online to their family cabin.

[dothehappy]

Walk with the Annese family in the Great Camp Adventure

Two years ago if you had asked Mike and Erin Annese to tell you about Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), their response would have been very different than it is today.

That’s because their son Max, then four years old, was brought to SickKids with a heart rate of 230. He was immediately diagnosed with SVT, which causes an elevated heart rate and can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The doctors revealed that Max would someday need surgery to cauterize additional pathways to his heart to minimize the potential for these serious consequences.

One year after being diagnosed with SVT, Max began having seizures and was again admitted to SickKids to have testing done to determine the cause. The tests revealed that Max had two tumours growing in his brain.

“It’s hard when you feel like you can’t do anything to help your child. It’s hard when you feel helpless,” said Max’s father, Mike. “SickKids puts your mind at ease because you know they are literally the best place in the world.”

Max has since had one of the tumours removed, while the other one was determined to likely be a slow-growing cyst that doctors will continue to monitor.

After all Max has been through, Mike and Erin wanted to give back. “The Great Camp Adventure is so important to us because not only does it allow us to spend the day with the kids, we are also raising awareness and funds for this amazing hospital which we are lucky enough to have in our own backyard.”

To join the Annese family on September 28, register today at campforkeeps.com.

If you would like to contribute to their fundraising efforts, please visit their fundraising page.