All true, .... however I neglected to mention the many blessings along the way.
It occurred to me the other day as I sat in an audience while my friend Carol talked about their battle with daughter Natasia... we have both experienced these blessings that have forever changed and enriched our lives. They made us better people. They made us want to inspire, share, love stronger, build character, develop courage and determination, work endlessly at giving back ... and then some. Our children saved us.
I'd like to share a few of the "perks" along the way.
First and foremost - it is the people and "true" friends who have touched our lives along the way, select family members who stepped up, and the prize winner being the kids we met (and sometimes their families).
In 2001, Kali was chosen as the Miracle Child for the Stollery. She was pulled out of hospital for an evening and the family was invited to the Snow Flake Gala, no cost to us. It was a magical evening away, and Kali felt like a princess in her little dress, instead of those striped pyjamas she had grown accustomed to. For us, it had been such a long time since we had an outing, and never one to that caliber.
Although each holiday seemed to end up in isolation, Santa came, the Easter Bunny came, Edmonton Eskimos, Oilers wives, mascots, Wayne Lee (illusionists), Natalie McMaster (violin in tow), and of course Beamer and Neil.
In fall 2001, Kali received her wish at Make-A Wish. She was now 3. She wished to pet a black and white dolphin and a crocodile (go figure...??), so Make-A-Wish kindly sent us to Florida where Kali got to do those things and so much more. Included was accommodations, food and a minivan at "Give Kids The World" (check that sometime... http://www.gktw.org/), Disney, and any attraction in the area at our fingertips. I have no words to describe that experience, but let me just say it was pretty much being in a fantasy for a week. Life changing.
Kids With Cancer Society and Make-A-Wish always thought of us when there was tickets to Oilers Games, Baseball, movie nights, concerts, or random entertainment and events - all donated from donors who just wanted to give.
Of course, soon enough, we ended up giving back. So glad we did.
In 2003, Hair Massacure started. So did working with media.
This provided more opportunity to meet local celebrities and high profile celebrities, as well as invitations to various events throughout the city. We attended a lot of fundraising events (still do), which fed into the ripple effect.
My friend Carol and I also started a support group for kIds With Cancer. Incredible honor to be so involved with fellow cancer families, and the kids.... what a gift.
All of these experiences were highly emotional for us, but so very enjoyable.
That fall we all held the Grey Cup, and hung with Eskies Goldie, Gizmo and Ed Hervey.
In 2004 my second oldest (Mandy) was diagnosed with a tumor on her kidney.
A few months after the complications of her surgery has dissipated, we were invited by Kids With Cancer to meet her TOP favourite celebrity in the world - World heavyweight campion Chris Benoit.
This was set up as a surprise for her. We spent several hours with Chris (who, for the record was a very nice man) in the Mayors office (Bill Smith at the time), we had a nice lunch and following that Chris flipped us ringside tix to the show. We kept our chairs with Chris Benoi's face on the seat. So cool.
Mandy needed that, particularly after several months of home care due to infection and her incision not closing.
Following that we had opportunity to bowl with P.O.D. and Blindside. Later that evening the girls attended their concert. Mandy even jumped into the mosh pit.
In the summer that year, Kali and Natasia were invited to go to Disney for a day through Dreams take Flight.
2006 Massacre provided us opportunity to work with CISN Country, and a lot more media. More opened doors. Bridget Ryan was our host that year (including our 2 years prior) and continued to be very involved with the event.
2007-2008, we worked with 6 radio stations (including CISN). Pepper and Dylan (from the Bounce) both pinked on air and we shaved them up on the HMV Stage.
Paul Brown pinked (a lot of hair...) on the Paul Brown Show and at the event I shaved his beard, arm pits and chest hair all televised. Too funny!
That year we had General - our pink pony who attended the event.
Larry, the Clodhopper guy came out for 2 years running and we waxed a heart off his chest. Bridget and I had the honors of yanking... what a thrill! He then fed everyone Clodhoppers.
In the fall of 07, Third Street beat became heavily involved with our event and our family.
I was asked to help organize two annual "Santas Kids" performances (benefiting Make-A-Wish). I selected some cancer kids (including our fam) and after 2 months of hip hop practice (please appreciate - all of us were GREEN at the time), we were thrown into the show as the opening act. Since then, Third Street Beat has performed for us at the Massacure. That experience resulted in my Kyrsti's love and incredible talent for dance.
2007-2010 Edmonton Rush supported our event by pinking out (on a televised event) then shaving at the Massacure. We attended Rush games, our event heavily promoted, and Kali Bear Weazie and myself) present in the crowds an on the field.
In 2008, the Edmonton Oil Kings all "pinked". Yes - the entire team.... at Stollery. We made a huge mess, but the experience was unforgettable and absolutely fun! Same deal, invitation to the games, Kali Bear present (and misbehaving..... tee hee). Following that 2009 - 2010 Edmonton Oilers involvement. HUGE media events around that.
In 2009, Kali and I were invited to attend a fundraiser in Vancouver (Skate for the Cure - Michael Cuccione Foundation). We are great friends with Michaels parents (God rest his soul), and so they flew us up and pampered us. Following that, we are invited to check out Michael's lab at the BC Childrens Hospital. I was inspired. Guess where that opportunity lead us - into our lab out here, where we could develop the same type of relationship with our head of research (the amazing Dr. Shairaz Basch).
In Jan 2008, Kali had opportunity to meet with Natalie McMaster again, where she admired her from the front row at her concert, later by the dressing room where she signed Kali's violin.
Also that year I had opportunity to speak at length with the original founder of Make-A-Wish (Linda) Her little boy Christopher was the inspiration behind the cause. What an honor. We spoke on a very personal level about her involvement with MAW today, her book (Little Bubble Gum Trooper), and how life has changed for her.
In 2009, we met CMA winner Jesse Farrel who kindly perfomed for us at our HM. I picked up Jesse and Jesse (her guitar player) at the airport and delivered them to Fantasyland Hotel, where I later hooked them up with our friend Shayne Chartrand (personal chef to the owners of WEM - Germesians).
Shayne was titled the Iron Chef of Canada and now creates for the fantasy Grill at WEM. Shayne treated them to a 5 star meal. On that note, Shayne invited one of my Wish families and our family to a 5 course meal, where Kyrsti, Kali, and the wish kid were invited into his kitchen to cook with him. That experience lead us to do a piece on Global where we treated another of my wish kids to an afternoon in the kitchen with Shayne. It was a hit on TV with much viewer feedback.
Back to Jesse - she is amazing by the way. Great person, great performer. Huge heart.
The following year (09), Quanteisha performed an outstanding performance at HM. Quanteisha is a young local artist who's popularity is growing rapidly across the country. We enjoy hearing both of them frequently on the radio.
In 09, we also had another opportunity to attend the Snowflake Gala. It was very different from the first time, as we were not shellshocked with a sick child in tow. A secret donor provided us the tickets, and to top it off - a gift card that helped us slip into some dressier clothes (which we were lacking) appropriate for this type of occasion. It was like winning the lottery.
For HM that year Patty O'Neil - The Home Improvement Guy on Breakfast TV shaved his mustache for the first time in history. This televised, but prior to that Bridget, Paddy and I did a funny skit commercial where I shopped for hedge trimmers to "speed the process" of the headshave (and Paddy's shave). We winged it and it was funny.
Then we (Meagan and I) pinked Mike McGuire on air with our head of research Dr. Basch. More mess, more chaos, more fun!
Oh, here's something big - CISN Country has provided incentive school concerts for Hair Massacure for the last 3 years. These concerts are high end, up close and personal. For 3 consecutive years the CMA artists we met were Johnny Reid, Emerson Drive, and Doc Walker. These 3 acts pro-bono'd this for the cause. Johnny Reid signed autograph for EVERY child, and was VERY nice to talk to. Doc Walker high fived every child. Of course, we had interaction with all 3 acts, which was super sweet.
Later 09, I was awarded Woman of Distinction. This summer Kyrsti was nominated as Young Woman of Distinction. We wore our Snowflake Gala clothes, and with among close friends and Stollery / Make-A-Wish peeps. (This is where Tammy told her famous "feeding roadkill to in-laws story...)
Last year, I also had the privilege of working with Snooky (part owner of Manic Panic) - manufacturer of Kali Pink on a personal level. She was going through breast cancer treatment, and I was inspired so much by her attitude and strength.
On the weekend Kali and I spoke with Ed Stelmach for a spell, then re- connected with our good friend Kent Wong (Founder of Edmonton Magic Club, renowned magician of Western Canada, friend and college of Chris Angel). Kent has kindly performed for HM a number of years now, supported a rush wish I was working on by providing a little boy with a high end magic show for him and his friends. Later we were invited to a Magic show with some of the top magicians in North America performed. Going back stage was neat, as we mingled and enjoyed hearing very interesting Chris Angel stories.
There are many more to tell... but I think I'll just leave it at the Magic part as it's so fitting for this post.
Folks have asked, "would you ever go back and do it again?".
Part of me would say "yes - in a heartbeat." (knowing what I know now, and how our lives have been enriched).
The other part says "not on your life would I ever allow my child and our family to suffer like that again."
Good thing I dont have to choose.
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