Passionate, ethical, spiritual, unselfish, knowledgeable .... remarkable and I'm honored to know them.
Todays celebration recognized Natasia's journey, Carols journey, the family's journey - but honoured those that supported. The family took care of the cost and treated 130 friends and family to a day of outstanding entertainment, followed by a meal at Sherwood Park (Festival Place). In attendance amoung 130 was Ed Stelmach, Kent Wong, Shumka Dancers, country music artists, Make-A-Wish peeps and Kids With Cancer.
I met my friend Carol Dizak in 2001 at the Cross Cancer Clinic. Her 2 year old daughter Natasia had just started her chemo, was clearly on steroids and had the "look". I am referring to a particular look characteristic of Leukaemia treatment, one that you never forget and are never wrong about.
My introduction to Carol was "Decadron face - how long has she had Leukemia?" Instant connection, instead friends.
At the time Kali was now 3 and had endured the first of three years of chemo. Kali and Natasia hit it off too and we all became instant friends.
In 2003, when we kicked off our first Hair Massacre at Canada Post, Carol and Dave brought Natasia to our event. I cant tell you how much that meant to us to have a fellow cancer family there cheering us on. The following year, the Dizaks kicked off their first of 7 "Small and Mighty" Celebrations (fundraiser for Kids With Cancer and Make-A-Wish). Needless to say, we attended and since we have always attended each others events.
Carol and I decided to run a support group together in 04 (Families Helping Families) that would compliments efforts of Kids With Cancer Society.
We did this for 2 years - one Sunday per month. We took this rather seriously and with both of us thinking 'big", it was a pretty sweet group we started with entertainment, pizza, motivational speakers, volunteers (to do crafts with the kids), Shriners, and sharing circles. We worked harmoniously with each other, loving every minute of our time together, thinking like minded and each filled with passion to help the kids. I miss those days.
Carol puts on quite an event (Small and Mighty) with the Mayor, our Premier, high end magicians, singers, DJ dances, fun themes, Nurses and Oncologists, Ukrainian dinners, March of Champions (cancer kids), silent auctions and more.
Carol put her heart and soul into these yearly events, and eventually fell victim to the very disease that consumed her daughter - cancer.
I fully understand how consuming an event can be. It really does rob your health, but for Carol it eventually stopped her from creating the type of chaos she so loved. Carol is officially retired from fundraising, and this was part of todays celebration as well - to honor her with Natasia.
I'm just gonna see how long Carol is able to stay away. Its just not that easy to walk from something that tugs at one's heart.
Both of our daughters are beautiful young ladies who have grown up into this unique world of fundraising, awareness campaigns, meeting celebrities, delivering speeches, media, events....
two of the shyest, sweetest, most humble girls you'll ever meet.
Who would have thought..... 10 years ago.......
Thanks for the kind words Tammy. However, the number of people that attended was just over 300.
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