Cause for Celebration

Today we attended a celebration for the Dizak Family at Sherwood Park's Festival Place.

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.......

Women's Day Out

Today I was invited to speak at a "Womans Day Out" convention in St. Albert.

Bridget Ryan and I were the chosen guest speakers. Regretfully I did not have opportunity to hear B, but Im sure it was insightful and most entertaining.

Typically the way I role with these kind of things is to focus on my shpeal just prior to, and then shoot from the hip while its fresh in my mind.

I warn my audience of my challenges with bouncing around and politely ask them to try to keep up. It usually works out for me. If I create confusion, I know I can rely on humor in a pinch to get me back.

My 4 wonderful daughters asked to come to support me.

My initial thoughts were that they were coming to bail me in the event I were to share a certain "roadkill for supper" story or go off track so far that I could never recover.

Well... I DID share the story about feeding roadkill to my in-laws, and I did say dumb and a few times, shmuck once, but refrained from the word pooh (or anything worse) and the best part is that Meagan and Kali didnt shrink in their seats.

Overall I stayed on track, kinda... and I think I was able to get my point through. That point was through telling my "story", I was able to prompt reflection about self reflection, self empowerment and appreciation for life. Profound for a girl that says pooh.

I recall the days when I was trying so hard for my brownbelt (this was 15 years ago). My Sensei said to me that I had all of the moves nailed - it was my confidence that lacked. Attitude is everything. Back in the day I was very shy, not a candidate to be at the front of any audience.

I desperately wanted to teach class, so I made an "on the spot" decision to change.

Who would have thought where that moment would have taken me.

Several years of teaching karate, projecting my voice, looking at the people ...... I still trip up over myself. Ha!

So thats what I'll leave you with today.... standing in front of groups, whether it be teaching, training, or speaking - I can always rely on this.... a warped sense of humor, creativity, and prayer.

Ronald McDonald House

I'm most pleased to announce the recent inclusion of Ronald McDonald House as a recipient of our proceeds for 2011.

Hair Massacure's mandate is "Supporting Children with Life Threatening Illnesses". RMH is a perfect fit as 80% of its guests are childhood cancer patients. Following that, organ transplant, and a lengthy list of afflictions that place children at risk who need a place to stay while in treatment.

8 Years ago, my niece was born premature (runs in the fam) and my sister who lives out of town was invited to stay there. It was my first introduction to this facility. My impression was "wow", because it was so much more than accommodations - it was a warm, inviting environment that encourages families to unite, connect and support each other.

Speaking from experience, I fully appreciate how costly dealing with a sick child is. I can't imagine leaving my home, my town, to put my child through treatment. The house does a fantastic job of supporting families through this process. I'm most excited to start working with them, as well as meeting the new families that come through.

900 families came through last year in Edmonton. Thankfully we have a Red Deer Massacure too, as we have a new RMH going up there as well.

In January / February, please proudly purchase paper Kali Bears at McDonalds restaurants. Each 1$ bear will go to support the house, and this adds up. Our hope is to help raise 100,000 for both houses without impacting regular funding for Stollery (our lab) and Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta.

We grow, we help more. This is what is all about folks.

Loosing battles

I am dedicating this post to a 2 year old girl who is loosing her battle with cancer. Let me correct that statement... is no longer responding to conventional treatment.

I believe in miracles (as I've witnessed a few myself), and so I withhold this belief until proven otherwise. This is the doctor's theory - "loosing her battle", so this was the opening line Ive chosen to prove a point - the fat lady hasn't sung.

This troubles me in so many ways and on so many levels.

My first point, Ive said it a hundred times.... children of this age need to worry about superficial things like "where did I put Elmo", or "why am in the time out chair", and "why do I HAVE to eat vegetables". Certainly not "what does dying mean, what does it feel like and why am I doing it?". I'm sick about it.

Secondly, Taylors story has been televised and is all over Facebook. This is very good to educate the public about a tragic situation of this nature (I get it, as Kali's story has been splattered too for the last 9 years). The not-so-good part is the other Taylors out there (and believe me, there are quite a number of them) who will slip away quietly with no prayers, no gifts, no wishes, and no recognition for their short life.

It makes me sad for the other children who have had no support system, not even parents that had the courage to stick with them to the end, holding their fragile frightened little bodies. Instead they ditched and let the nurses and fellow cancer parents witness the last breaths of their childs life. I'm gonna step out on a limb here and shout out "Shame on them!".

Any parent that ditches their child to nurse their own weaknesses, fears, addictions, inadequacies and freedoms needs to experience karma ten fold, and is no friend of mine.

I applaud Taylors parents, family, and friends for scrambling to make things better for her. This warms my heart.

Taylor has touched many hearts, and will receive many prayers (including ours). While we pray for her, we must also pray for the others.

Last... how many times do we have to say this - I hate cancer! Won't you just go away already?

I am very proud to announce that this year the lab we are funding at Stollery is including Paediatric Leukaemia. Yay! I have regular contact with the wonderful Dr. Baksh, and will have opportunity to take out planning committee to the lab and see his work. We HAVE to make this go away.

Last night we buried my uncle. Cancer. :( He was a remarkable man. About every 3 seconds we are burying someones uncle, aunt, mom, gramma, father, brother, friend, child.....

I just dont understand the injustice of why good people, children, are made to suffer while others who disregard life may escape crippling pain and circumstance.

I'm sad and I'm frustrated.

As I mentioned about miracles, I hope there is one for Taylor.

I hope there is one for every child who's life is in jeopardy - whether it be cancer, neglect, organ transplant, diabetes, abuse, and so forth.

We need to try to save them.... all of them.

Please check out this great blog for Taylor http://landonmindytaylor.blogspot.com/

HM Promotional Video

I am pleased to say that my vision for a professional interview / video became a reality. :)

Ignition Media has been very good to us over the years.

In 2008, our HM commercial was created

(which is located on our Home page - hairmassacure.com), and our logo (which I had drawn about a million times on a napkin before releasing my final version).

Ignition Media recorded video interview from our family and two others speaking about personal experiences and our involvement with the Massacure. Ours was taken outside in a park, which was good for F.R.E.D as he needed to run off some energy before sitting still for the shoot.

The 2 other families involved were the Kinahan family (beneficiaries of Stollery / Oncology, Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta, and Ronald McDonald House). This family has been involved with HM for a few years now. The boys pink and shave and may I say - they are a HOOT! Its impossible to tell which one fought cancer, and this is clear evidence that treatment was effective!

The second family is the Caza family. I have spoken of this family a few times in my blog, primarily about my dear friend Jaime (who wears the hat of friend, sponsor, wish mom, and now volunteer captain). This family participates and volunteer for HM, and is beneficiaries of Stollery and Make-A-Wish.

The shoot took place at McDonalds Corporate Regional Office (Jaime's work). We were fed and then chaos hit like a ton of bricks -ha! - but done get me wrong - we enjoyed every minute!

The kids were most entertaining!

I am so excited to see how these interviews turn out. Once the editing is complete, the interview will be attached to the slideshow Kyrsti and I worked on this summer.

Things are falling into place....

Stollery / Sobeys / Pat

Today I had a meeting with Collin Parker at Sobeys corporate office to discuss their participation in carrying our Kali Pink.

They agreed to remain involved, however no magic solution for the system of distribution and management unfortunately. Still will involve a great deal of follow up, checking in, and frequent visits (more so on Collins Part) to maintain stock, and ensure its visible for our consumers.

Stollery meeting was lengthy but good. Lots to do. Pledge packages (update AND find new sponsor to donate them), finding yet another part time assistant (who, what, when, how....),

and sponsorship levels. Yikes!

Last meeting with my friend Pat this evening (God love her for still talking to me after the many crank calls this January). Pat is another newly acquired sounding board that I bounce ideas off, she is also our registration gal who books your shave time at the mall.

We have both named our brain tumors (from our prosthesis's - cell phones).

I take my girls to meetings sometimes so they stay in the loop - its fun. :)

I guess I love the choas... kinda.

Here we go....

Hair Massacure has officially kicked off for its planning for 2011.

In my last blog, I wrote about various plaguing health issues that interrupted
my ability to perform "normally" (that would be Tammy's normal, not normal normal).
Still working on those, but with fingers crossed I am happy to announce that I am finally off the couch. After tying up my ankles with my blackbelt and hanging from the banister, leg pulling sessions (with kids taking shifts), I was able to relieve my back and am walking around again, so far pain free.
Still fatigued, but determination has stepped in. Its full on Massacure season, no time to think about uncooperative body parts. I've decided that my herbalists pride can go on the shelf (along with the coyote ear and eye of newt) and the colourful pretty spread of pharmaceuticals on my counter will have to be tolerated.
So...... as of Sept 1, HM suddenly became very busy with planning for 2011.
Video is nearly done with last minute tweaking - Kyrsti and I pooled our efforts this summer, working with thousands of photos to implement with our chosen song which will be attached to an interview with our fam, and 2 others affected by childhood critical illness.
Really hoping to expand the event into Northern Alberta, reach more schools, hockey teams, work places.

I also hope is to get more day to day support during the nuts months (Dec-March), so that management of the event will be a bit easier.

Nicki will be back with me this year, however if she calls me OLD one more time....

All seems to be coming together, with the glitches, worries and chaos.