Summer 2017 Volume 19
CELEBR ATE The Gift of Life
WHAT’S INSIDE Message from the CEO . . . . . . . . . .
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Message from the SVP, Fund Development . . . . . . . . . . .
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Ryker's Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Message from the Chairman . . . . .
Message from the Director of Family Relations . . . . Where Are You Now? . . . . . . . . . . .
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Living Life More Than Ten Years After Transplant . . . . .
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Charlie Gendron, Liver Transplant Recipient . . . . . . Spring Cleaning with Scrap Drives . .
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A Legendary Evening Honouring David Foster . . . . . . .
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Thanks to Our Partners & Life Legacy Members . . . . . . . .
9 BCBusiness Top 100 Event . . . . . . . 10 RBC Rewards Sweepstakes . . . . . . 10 Country Grocer Organ Donor Awareness Campaign Recap . . . 11 2017 Vancouver Island Motor Gathering . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 30th Anniversary Vancouver Miracle Gala & Concert . . . . . . . 12 Follow us on:
Ryker's Story
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t five weeks of age, Ryker’s kidneys failed and he was put on perineal dialysis. Ryker spent the first years of his life hooked up to a dialysis machine 12 hours a day. Magda, mother to Ryker, had been unable to work since his birth and remained as the primary caregiver for him. The family’s daily life revolved around Ryker’s dialysis schedule; trips away from home were limited to only walks in the stroller to get outside and go to the park. During daily dialysis, one parent was required to be by Ryker’s side to ensure the dialysis lines remained in place. In addition to the dialysis, there was limited time to relax with the constant worrying of medication times and planned meals.
PROFILE Name: Ryker Age: 3 years Transplant: Kidney Date: October 4, 2016
Doctors were required to wait for Ryker to grow and develop strength prior to starting the transplant process. Due to British Columbia having the longest median wait time for a kidney transplant in Canada, both parents, Magda and Mark, began the living donor testing process. At 22 months of age, Ryker was placed on the deceased donor list for a kidney transplant at BC Children’s Hospital while they continued the testing process for Mark. Magda was not approved to be a living donor, but after many months of testing, Mark was finally approved to be Ryker’s living donor. Although they felt a sense of relief, this presented a new problem for the family. How were they going to keep afloat financially if one parent could not work to provide for the family? Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar reality for many transplant families. Through the support of the David Foster Foundation, continues on page 8
Message from the Chairman
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can hardly believe that we are celebrating 30 years of helping Canadian transplant families. I started this Foundation after my mom called and asked me to visit a little girl waiting for a life-saving liver transplant at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Little did I know, it would change my life forever. From that life-changing experience, the David Foster Foundation was founded. Looking back in our early years, it is crazy to see that 52% of the children we were supporting didn’t make it; unfortunately, they died before an organ became available. The great news is that those numbers have improved considerably today due to modern medicine and the overall increased awareness for organ donation. If you have not already registered, I encourage you to continue improving the chance for someone to receive the gift of life and register today. On October 21, 2017, we will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert at Rogers Arena in the beautiful city of Vancouver, B.C. Coming back to the province where it all began means so much to me. The memories I have from the last three decades have kept coming back to the place I proudly call home!
“I started this Foundation after my mom called and asked me to visit a little girl waiting for a life-saving liver transplant at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Little did I know it would change my life forever.”
David Foster with his mother, Eleanor.
Thank you once again for your support. Whether you are a financial donor or partner to the Foundation, a registered organ donor, or one of our volunteers – your support is invaluable as we work to make this the best year ever for our Foundation and the families we help. Sincerely,
DAVID RECEIVES THE IDEA AWARD FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA David Foster is the 2017 International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (IDEA) winner. This award was established in 1983 and is awarded to individuals who have achieved outstanding success and who have made an exemplary contribution to society.
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On June 13, David Foster spoke to students & faculty of the Asper School of Business sharing his story & vision from four decades of creating hits.
David Foster Founder and Chairman
Message from the CEO
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s we prepare for our 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert in Vancouver, we couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Canada’s new premier luxury resort, Parq Vancouver. We will be celebrating their grand opening and the 30th Anniversary of our Foundation. It is evident that the excitement for this event is building all across Canada and throughout the vibrant city of Vancouver. Only one month into table sales, we are thrilled to announce there are only a few tables left! The funds raised at our Miracle Gala & Concert go to ease the financial burden families face while their child waits for a transplant. We can continue to put world class entertainment events on every night of the week, however, if we don't raise the necessary awareness to be a registered organ donor and raise the needed funds to financially assist our families, there is no use in putting on these events. It is a constant balance.
Thirty years ago, a mother placed a call to her son living in Los Angeles and asked him to visit a little girl from his hometown as she waited for a major organ transplant in the hospital. From that very emotional visit 30 years ago, a foundation was formed and continues to change so many lives every day. If it wasn’t for that phone call, over 1,000 families across the country would not have received the muchneeded financial support they desperately required. The next time you are asked to lend a hand, give a few dollars or share your skills and talent to help a cause, give back with passion and with a philanthropic heart. Life is so much better when we give than when we receive.
With great appreciation,
Mike Ravenhill Chief Executive Officer
We are so grateful for the continued support of our generous partners: Life Legacy Members TELUS, The Slaight Family Foundation, Tan Sri Dr. Francis Yeoh, Jim & Sandi Treliving, Newton Glassman in partnership with Catalyst Capital Group; National Partners WestJet, Aird & Berlis LLP, AMJ Campbell, Schnitzer Steel; Community Sponsors GAIN Dealer Group, Boston Pizza, and Oak Bay Beach Hotel. We are so fortunate that our partners truly understand the importance of a family staying together and what it means to ease the financial burden when needed the most. Vancouver has been such a generous city over the years to our Foundation families. This year, our 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert could not be in a better place than Vancouver B.C. Coming home to the beautiful west coast province that started it all seems only fitting. Michael Ravenhill, CEO, with Layton and his younger brother Coen, kidney transplant recipient.
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Message from the SVP, Fund Development SPONSOR A FAMILY OF A CHILD IN NEED OF A LIFE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT
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t is hard to believe that the David Foster Foundation is 30 years “young”. Imagine, the Foundation has helped more than 1,000 families as their children go through the life-saving organ transplant process. In short, the David Foster Foundation has created more tomorrows for many Canadian children. The Good News: As a result of medical advancements, there will be a greater number of life-saving organ transplant opportunities and more lives saved!
The Challenge: Over the next few years, the consequence, as a direct result of medical advancement, the number of families requiring financial assistance from the David Foster Foundation will increase exponentially – far greater than the current reality! To overcome this challenge and create more tomorrows for every Canadian family from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, from today and for many years from now, we are asking you to consider supporting our 30th Anniversary Sponsor a Family Campaign. Although it can cost in excess of $100,000, the average cost per family to go through the transplant process is $10,000. In order to achieve our goal to support 300 families, we need your help by joining our 300 by 30 Campaign in raising three million dollars by December 31, 2017. Please help us make this a reality by supporting one or part of a family for one year or multiple families for multiple years. Every dollar is important. If your philanthropic budget for 2017 is committed, please consider making a commitment today and making the actual donation in 2018. Your contribution to this campaign not only helps a family, but directly contributes to the legacy of the
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David Foster Foundation. 100% of your donation goes directly to the families and is tax deductible. Visit davidfosterfoundation.com/dff-family-stories/ to hear stories of families assisted by the Foundation. For more information regarding the 300 by 30 Campaign, please contact me directly at the David Foster Foundation Toronto office at 416-865-4646 or jdanson@davidfosterfoundation.com.
www.davidfosterfoundation.com
Sincerely,
John Danson Senior Vice President, Fund Development
Message from the Director of Family Relations
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am so proud to work along side so many wonderful and caring individuals. In my five years at the Foundation, I have witnessed the incredible strength it takes families to persevere through the most difficult time while continuing to manage their day-to-day life. To see the faces of children filled with life and laughter that were once so close to the unthinkable is truly a gift. I have been fortunate to reconnect with some of the families that were helped by the David Foster Foundation in the earlier years and it has been wonderful to hear about the lives they have been able to experience because of someone’s selfless choice to be an organ donor. There are so many children on the transplant waitlist with the clock ticking. For many parents, their only hope has been to become a living organ donor or find someone who is a match to help save their child’s life. Sadly, not every child has been fortunate enough to
“I have witnessed the incredible strength it takes families to persevere through the most difficult time while continuing to manage their day-to-day life.” receive the gift of life through organ donation, but I take comfort in knowing that the David Foster Foundation is able to support families and allow them to spend those precious moments by their child’s side. Love comes in all forms and I am grateful to all the people who chose to live their life thinking of others and doing their part to make the world a better place.
Sincerely,
Lara Knudsen Director of Family Relations
30 Years of Keeping Families Together WHERE ARE YOU NOW? If you were one of the over 1,000 Canadian families that received assistance from the David Foster Foundation over the past 30 years, we would like to hear from you. If you are interested in sharing your story please contact: mystory@davidfosterfoundation.com
David Foster Foundation Newsletter
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Living Life More Than Ten Years After Transplant Surgery
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hloe Capan, from Winnipeg, Manitoba is a healthy 15-year-old young lady living life to the fullest. This life of hers may not have been possible had it not been for the two deceased liver donors who saved her life at age one, and again at age two and a half. For both transplants, Chloe was required to leave her home province in order to obtain the medical care and transplant she needed to save her life. Chloe underwent her first transplant in 2004 at the London Health Science Centre, only one and a half short years later she required a second liver transplant in 2006. The family had to return to Toronto SickKids Hospital, once again. In 2006, the David Foster Foundation had just become a national organization with the ability to help families from coast to coast. For the Capan family, this meant they would receive the much-needed financial help as their daughter received her second life-saving organ transplant. While Chloe’s mother cared for her daughter in Toronto, her father was required to remain back home to care for Chloe’s twin sister and older brother. The David Foster Foundation kept the family together by providing flights and accommodation for travel from Winnipeg to Toronto and this provided Chloe and mom with much-needed emotional support. The added financial support also made it easier for the family to focus on their family’s needs. Although Chloe does not remember either the transplant or the financial or emotional difficulties her parents faced first-hand throughout the transplants, she does know she has been able to be a daughter, sister, a friend, an athlete, and an advocate for organ donor awareness all because she was given a second and third chance at life.
“I want the world to know that I am more than what you may think of me. I am a strong girl who has been given the chance of life twice.” – Chloe Capan, two-time liver transplant recipient 6
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Chloe today (right) with her twin sister, Sidney.
Chloe five days after her second liver transplant.
www.davidfosterfoundation.com
Charlie Gendron, Liver Transplant Recipient
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harlie Gendron was born on December 13, 2012, in Alma, Quebec. At three weeks of age, Charlie started showing signs and symptoms that there was something wrong with her liver function. After months of on-going testing and medical care, doctors found significant scarring on her liver that indicated that she would require a liver transplant one day.
Four-year-old Charlie now post-transplant.
When Charlie was 10 months old, the medical team confirmed the diagnosis of Neonatal Sclerosing Cholangitis (NSC) which is a rare autosomal recessive condition that leads to inflamed bile ducts. In December of 2013 shortly after her diagnosis, Charlie unexpectedly had a varicose vein rupture in her esophagus during a routine procedure and was air-ambulanced to CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal, five and a half hours from their home in Alma. As Charlie’s liver disease progressed at a rapid pace, the doctors began to prepare and take the steps required for her to go on the transplant wait list. This was the only option to save Charlie’s life. The family also prepared themselves for the reality that it could take up to one year to find a match for their tiny daughter. Fortunately, due to the generosity of another family’s choice to choose organ donation when they faced their own heartbreak, Charlie only waited one week on the transplant list. On February 4th, 2014, Charlie was given a second chance at life through the gift of organ donation.
thin as they were required to support themselves in a new city. The David Foster Foundation The Gendron family was relocated to Montreal from assisted the family NEW their hometown to be by their daughter’s side as she was BRUNSWICK with their mortgage diagnosed and waited for a liver transplant. Being so far and utilities back at from home led to the family’s finances being stretched ONTARIO home so they could Charlie waiting for a liver transplant. stay in Montreal by their daughter’s side during transplant and recovery. “The help of the David Foster Foundation
made a big difference for us. We have been London able to stay together during this adventure. We grew together instead of going through the hardest time of our life apart.” – Valerie Oulette, mother of Charlie
Today, Charlie continues to spend a few weeks a year in hospital due to her low immune system since the transplant. In the past six months, she has been hospitalized with infection and minor liver rejection, but can go to daycare, play with friends, and continue to develop like any four-year-old little girl. David Foster Foundation Newsletter
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continued from page 1 the family received the much-needed financial support to have Ryker removed from the deceased donor list and schedule the living donor surgery. Mark’s donor kidney was successfully transplanted on October 4, 2016 and Ryker was given a second chance at life. Within a month post-transplant, Ryker was physically able to walk for the first time in his life at the age of two years old. The David Foster Foundation supported the family with their non-medical transplant expenses and their household expenses leading up to, during the transplant, and post-transplant. This July, Ryker will be celebrating his third birthday with his friends and family. The first time Mark and Ryker see each other post-transplant.
Spring Cleaning with Scrap Drives
The Westshore Rebels, TELUS Ambassadors and the David Foster Foundation teams!
Jeremy Stephen and his team working at the RBC Scrap Drive.
TELUS Days of Giving
RBC Branch-wide Drive
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n May 28, the David Foster Foundation, TELUS, and Used.ca teamed up with Schnitzer Steel to promote spring cleaning for a cause! TELUS promotes giving back to their community during the TELUS Days of Giving, running May 13 - June 11, bringing together more than 20,000 volunteers and participating in over 1,500 activities across Canada. With the help of the Westshore Rebels football team, two whole bins of scrap metal were donated do the David Foster Foundation.
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n June 10, our friends at RBC in the Greater Victoria area launched a branch-wide scrap drive with five participating locations. RBC initiated the first scrap drive in 2013 with Schnitzer Steel and it has been a fun and rewarding initiative to continue. Thank you Matt Hillyard and Jeremy Stephen for pulling together such a successful scrap drive! If you have any scrap metal you would like to donate to the David Foster Foundation, please visit any of the Schnitzer Steel locations on Vancouver Island.
www.davidfosterfoundation.com
A Legendary Evening Honouring David Foster
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n June 30, David Foster was honoured at Dedicated to David, proudly presented by Patricia and Kenneth W. Mariash, Sr. The event was held at the historic Bayview Place Roundhouse to honour David Foster and support the Canadian College of Performing Arts. David Foster was the first to receive the Canadian College of Performing Arts’ inaugural Legend Award. Mel Cooper, event chair and long-time supporter of the David Foster Foundation, notes that David Foster was chosen specifically for this award due to his appreciation for young talent. The Canadian College of Performing Arts' most famous former student is superstar Carley Rae Jepsen, who has been on the Billboard Top 40 since 2011. Carley Rae Jepsen and David Foster have shared a stage, performing at the annual 2016 Miracle Gala & Concert in Winnipeg, MB at the MTS Centre. Over $300,000 was raised for the Canadian College of Performing Arts with highlights including a $100,000 cheque from Kenneth W. Mariash,
David Foster accepts the inaugural Legend Award in his hometown of Victoria, B.C.
a $5,412.21 cheque from Mel Cooper and the TELUS Victoria Community Board, and a $20,000 auction bid on a VIP package to the David Foster Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert on October 21 in Vancouver, B.C. Congratulations, Canadian College of Performing Arts!
THANKS TO OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS
THANKS TO OUR LIFE LEGACY MEMBERS TELUS | Slaight Family Foundation Newton Glassman Charitable Foundation in Partnership with Catalyst Capital Group Tan Sri Dr. Francis Yeoh | Jim & Sandi Treliving
COMMUNITY PARTNERS David Foster Foundation Newsletter
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BCBusiness Top 100 Event
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n June 29, nearly 1,000 guests attended the BCBusiness Top 100 event at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver to watch a live interview between Peter Legge, Chairman and CEO of Canada Wide Media, and David Foster, 16-time Grammy Award winner and Founder and Chairman of the David Foster Foundation. The afternoon was engaging with many stories from David Foster’s past that led him to create the David Foster Foundation and continue down a philanthropic path from a young age. During the interview, Peter Legge asked David Foster about some of the most memorable children he had met and helped through their organ transplant journey. David Foster reminisced about the time he went to Calgary in 2014 and met a little boy named Curtis Kellar, a little boy who was restricted to wearing a backpack to keep his heart pumping and had been on the transplant wait list for nearly two years. David adds, “Three weeks before the Foundation’s event, Curtis received the gift of life and finally got his new heart. It was incredible.” Determined and feeling good, Curtis joined David Foster on stage to share his story at the event only weeks after receiving his transplant.
Michael Ravenhill, David Foster Foundation CEO, with heart transplant recipient, Curtis Kellar at the BCBusiness Top 100 Event.
As soon as David finished this story on stage, a small voice rang out over the speakers and Curtis approached the stage to surprise David and the audience. The reunion was heart-warming and Curtis reported that he had been busy camping, swimming, and playing outside, which were only a handful of things he was not able to do while he waited for his heart transplant. Thank you, Peter Legge and Canada Wide Media for including us in the BCBusiness Top 100!
RBC Rewards Sweepstakes
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he David Foster Foundation has teamed up with Surrey RBC Rewards and WestJet to bring you the ultimate weekend prize! RBC Rewards cardholders have the opportunity to win a trip for two to the David Foster Foundation 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert on October 21, 2017, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C.!
Chance to Win the Ultimate Weekend Getaway! • Round-trip airfare to Vancouver, B.C. courtesy of WestJet
Please visit davidfosterfoundation.com for Sweepstakes rules and regulations and details on how to enter.
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• $500 spending cash
• Two (2) gala tickets to the David Foster • Accommodations for Foundation Miracle one (1) night at a luxury Gala & Concert hotel in Vancouver, B.C. on October 21, 2017
www.davidfosterfoundation.com
Country Grocer Campaign Recap
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he David Foster Foundation teamed up with the locally-owned grocery chain, Country Grocer, to educate and raise awareness for organ donor registration during the entire month of April. The third week in April is National Organ & Tissue Donor Awareness Week and the team visited seven stores over seven days selling WestJet raffle tickets and speaking to the community about organ donor awareness. Six Country Grocer stores span Vancouver Island and one store is located on Salt Spring Island. Through rain, wind, and sunshine, the David Foster Foundation team spoke with thousands of people about the importance of becoming an organ donor and remembering to tell loved ones of their wishes during the April campaign.
Kelly Greville from Paradise Island Cheese joined in the week’s adventure to all seven Country Grocer stores and offered lactose-free cheese sampling and tastings. It was delicious and made a popular addition to the tour. Thank you Kelly for contributing and supporting our cause! Huge thank you to Jim Reger, Past President of the David Foster Foundation, who spearheaded this campaign with Country Grocer. The success of this campaign will directly go to benefit the organ donor
The David Foster Foundation Team that campaigned for organ donor awareness at seven stores in seven days.
awareness program to educate individuals about the importance of becoming an organ donor. Thank you, Country Grocer, WestJet, Rolex Plastics & Printing, Paradise Island Cheese, and Jim Reger!
2017 Vancouver Island Motor Gathering
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he Vancouver Island Motor Gathering is a fun-filled family event showcasing an array of classic, unique, modern and custom cars and motorcycles for enthusiasts of all ages. Join us at this year’s Motor Gathering on Sunday, August 27, 2017, at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit in Cowichan Valley, B.C. and come say hi at the David Foster Foundation tent. This fun afternoon is a wonderful way to spend time with your family and enjoy the timeless cars and motorcycles displayed. All funds raised at this event are donated to the David Foster Foundation and the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation. To learn more, please visit motorgathering.com.
Over 100,000 people attended the 2016 Motor Gathering.
David Foster Foundation Newsletter
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PROUDLY PRESENTED BY
A NIGHT YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS, A CAUSE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET! OCTOBER 21, 2017 | ROGERS ARENA
Previous Artists Include…
30 years of the BIGGEST STARS, 30 years of INCREDIBLE GIVING & 30 years of HEARTFELT MOMENTS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LUXURY SPONSOR
RED CARPET SPONSORS BONNIE & JOHN BUHLER To learn more visit: davidfosterfoundation.com
MEDIA PARTNER