CELEBRATE
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SUMMER 2022 | VOLUME 37 Bella's Transplant Journey
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Message from the Chairman
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Message from the CEO
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Bella’s Transplant Journey August 2022 will mark two full years of waiting for the Thomson family. It will mark two years
Bella TRANSPLANT NEEDED: BOWEL
Message from the SVP, Fund Development
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Message from the Director of Family Relations
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Bella's Transplant Journey Continued
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Gold Mining with Avenue Family Dental
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Sharing Smiles this Summer
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A Night On Broadway Raises Record-breaking $11.2 Million!
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2022 Visionary Award Winners
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Partner Spotlight: The Simon Keith Foundation
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Thank You to All Our Partners
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medical team hoped would improve her quality of life. Unfortunately,
Thank You! A Night On Broadway in Partnership with Hotel X Toronto
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the procedure did not work, and Bella would remain in the hospital for
of hearing the phone ring and wondering if it is a medical professional calling to say that they have matched Bella to a bowel donor who
HOME: SWIFT CURRENT, SK
will save her life. Two years of always trying to remain positive but always having the “what-ifs” at the back of their mind. Bella was born in 2013 and Kyla and Lyle were overjoyed to welcome their first child. At only three days old, Bella was air ambulanced to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, SK as she was continuously vomiting and obviously suffering from painful distension. Bella was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease, which is a disease that affects an infant’s intestines and makes it impossible for them to have bowel movements. She was rushed into an emergency surgery that the
the first two years of her life. During these two years, Kyla and Lyle also learned that Bella was
212 HENRY ST., VICTORIA, BC V9A 3H9 OFFICE: 250.475.1223 FAX: 250.475.1193 TOLL FREE: 1.877.777.7675
born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and a form of
DAVIDFOSTERFOUNDATION.COM
old due to her SCID diagnosis.
dwarfism called cartilage hair hypoplasia. On top of all of this, she needed to have a bone marrow transplant when she was just a year
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We Are Making A Difference Message from the Chairman
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his past May, I had the privilege of meeting Bella at our fundraising gala 'A Night On Broadway' at the Hotel X Toronto. Bella is currently waiting for a bowel transplant, but you would never know this little girl has many health challenges. Bella sparkles and radiates happiness everywhere she goes. Bella represents all the children and families who are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and is the exact reason why I started this Foundation 35 years ago. I am extremely proud of our Foundation team for their hard work and dedication in raising a recordbreaking $11.2 million to support transplant families in Toronto this past
May. This astounding amount raised will ensure that families will have the support of the Foundation today and for generations to come. I am so grateful to all the sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made this night such an incredible success. Our Foundation is able to continue supporting families whose children are going through the major organ transplant journey due to our incredibly generous donors. But my work isn’t done yet! Countless people are still waiting for life-saving organ transplants, many of them are children. This summer, I encourage you to speak with your family and loved ones about becoming a registered organ donor.
Bella and David at 'A Night On Broadway'.
Visit davidfosterfoundation.com to learn more about organ donation and how to register in your province or state. Together, WE are making a difference.
Sincerely,
David Foster Founder and Chairman
Smiling This Summer Message from the Chief Executive Office
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fter a very busy spring, and two years of not being able to have a fundraising gala, it was so great to be able to come together in person and host an incredibly successful fundraising gala in Toronto this past May at Hotel X Toronto. The excitement of our donors and our entire team as we ramped up for our 'A Night On Broadway' was so wonderful to experience. We wanted the evening to be a success on so many levels, and the evening didn’t disappoint. It was so great to see everyone, hear the amazing stories of our families, and watch with wonder and amazement as our donors gave so generously to our cause. I am humbled by the generosity of so many that want to make a difference in other people's lives. As we enter into the summer months, I am looking forward to the chance to take some time to be with my family
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and grandchildren, a time to slow down a bit, recharge the batteries, be deliberate and intentional at making memories. As each year passes, I find myself stopping more often and watching my grandchildren grow and experience life around them. It is in these times that I find myself reflecting on the great work our Foundation does and how blessed and grateful I am to be involved in such an incredible organization. However, our work is not done… we need to continue to work hard to build awareness and educate the need to become a registered organ donor, so that more families will be able to enjoy the fullness of life without worry of their child having to wait for months or even years for that life-saving organ transplant. This summer, the David Foster Foundation will once again be
sharing a transplant child’s smile each Saturday as part of our Summer of Smiles campaign. This campaign brings our team so much joy as it highlights the beautiful smiles of children who have gone through so much. We are grateful for all the families who participate in the ongoing campaigns that help us raise awareness about the David Foster Foundation and organ donation.
With great appreciation,
HCol Michael Ravenhill Chief Executive Officer David Foster Foundation Honourary Colonel Canadian Armed Forces 410 Tactical Fighter Squadron
Celebrating 50th Workplace Anniversary! Message from SVP, Fund Development
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ver the past 50 years in the workplace, I have been fortunate to experience some very exciting and positive events above and beyond the regular business day and for that, I am truly grateful.
From teaching at the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto and York University, co-founding and delivering an educational health-based program for elementary students in Ontario and in particular, for indigenous communities, I have spent the better part of my working life, educating while concurrently receiving many lessons from my students. The experience has been positively exhilarating. In 2013, I joined the Foundation as the SVP of Fund Development, the guy whose job is to ask people for donations. As you can imagine, most people hide when they see me coming… excuse the “Danson humour”. The experience and opportunity to help families during an
incredibly challenging time in their lives has been tenfold what I had experienced in my previous 40 years. The last few years have been particularly tough for everyone. When planning our event for May 7, 2022, we were not sure of the response we would receive so shortly after a global pandemic. Imagine, the gala at Hotel X Toronto was sold out in a few weeks and the near 500 guests were treated to 'A Night On Broadway', a musical production unlike anything we had produced, or guests experienced previously. What made the evening most special was the generosity shown by our guests. We raised $11.2 million for families going through the challenging organ transplant process, what I believe is a Canadian record for a single evening event! Now, you know why I am celebrating the win of my life and for that, I am eternally grateful to our guests and sponsors who supported this event.
How to make a donation to the Foundation: 1. Mail your cheques to David Foster Foundation, 212 Henry Street, Victoria BC V9A 3H9 2. Please call 1-877-777-7675 3. Online through PayPal at davidfosterfoundation.com 4. Electronic funds transfer— please email info@davidfosterfoundation.com
From the heart, a sincere thank you!
John Danson SVP, Fund Development
Connecting with Families Message from Director of Family Relations
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his May, the Foundation held an incredibly successful event in Toronto where we raised millions of dollars to support families whose children require or have received life-saving organ transplants. I had the pleasure of hosting three amazing families at the event who’s lives have been touched by the transplant process. Rosie, who received a heart transplant in March 2018 when she was less than a year old, was there with her family. She is now a thriving 4-year-old and it was a joy to see her doing so well after knowing her and her family since she was first listed for transplant in 2018. Bella Thomson also travelled from Saskatchewan with her mom to be at the event. Bella is 8-years-old and
has been waiting for a small bowel transplant since August 2020. Bella and her mother Kyla were full of positivity and it was a joy to meet them. The Chen family also attended. Their daughter Ailah was Rosie's heart donor in 2018. The relationship the two families have is so special and inspiring. Unfortunately due to Covid, I have not been able to meet or visit any transplant families for the last two years. Spending time with Rosie and Bella reminded me of how strong the children the Foundation supports are. This summer while most children will enjoy their summer vacations and the sunny weather Rosie will be attending follow-up appointments to ensure that her heart transplant continues
Aleea Dahinden with DFF families in Toronto, ON.
to function well and Bella will need daily medications and care while she continues to wait for transplant. The outpouring of generosity the Foundation received at the event in Toronto goes to support families like Rosie and Bella’s and I am extremely grateful to work for an organization that helps such deserving families.
Sincerely,
Aleea Dahinden Director of Family Relations The David Foster Foundation
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After two years in the hospital, Bella was finally able to go home. However, her medical treatment did not stop there. From her first admission at three days old to when she turned six, Bella has had 20 surgeries and counting. Hirschsprung’s disease caused a portion of Bella’s intestines to stop functioning, and she needed to undergo many surgeries because of this. These surgeries required Bella to have many broviaks placed, which is a line that is placed directly into a large vein leading into the heart.
Bella and her family in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
In July of 2020, SickKids Hospital in Toronto took over Bella’s care and she travelled from Saskatchewan to Toronto. The medical team at SickKids determined that Bella needed a bowel transplant to survive, and she was listed for transplant on August 27th, 2020. All the broviaks she had placed led to scarring on her veins and the doctors also told Kyla and Lyle that Bella’s current CVC site (where the lines are placed) needs to last until the bowel transplant happens. It is now a race against time while they wait for the call and hope that her CVC site remains intact. When the family went to SickKids, their social worker introduced them to the David Foster Foundation. Due to Bella’s complex medical needs, the family has a lot of additional expenses involved with attending appointments at home in Saskatchewan, at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, AB, and at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, ON. In addition to these transplant expenses, Kyla has given up her full-time teaching career to care for Bella. The Foundation has been able to assist the family with the costs of attending these appointments, so they do not strain the family.
Above: Bella and Kyla at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Below: Bella and Kyla visit David Foster and his wife, Katharine McPhee, in Toronto ON at the Foundation's 'A Night On Broadway' fundraising event.
Waiting for a transplant has greatly impacted the family. “It has affected our ability to plan for our family and be able to enjoy life without this heavy weight in the back of our minds. Everything is harder to handle as it has to revolve around the possibility of receiving the call at any moment. Emotionally Bella is very excited to receive her new bowels. She knows very well how it will change her life for the better. So, she is very positive about it and looks forward to the bowel transplant. For myself and my husband Lyle, we feel like we are in a constant state of ‘what if.’ And the mental toll that takes on us is something we battle every day,” Kyla reveals.
In addition to transplant expenses, Kyla has given up her full-time teaching career to care for Bella. The Foundation has been able to assist the family with the costs of attending appointments, so they do not strain the family.
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In May, Bella and Kyla joined the David Foster Foundation for 'A Night On Broadway' at Hotel X Toronto. Kyla and Bella took over the Foundation's social media to share a behind scenes look at the event taking place after a two-year hiatus. Bella was the belle of the ball and stole the spotlight after singer Jessica Vosk spotted her dancing in the audience. Jessica had Bella join her on stage for a performance of her lifetime! Kyla and Bella run an Instagram account that has nearly 100K and a TikTok account that has 4M followers! Make sure to follow along with their adventures at @kylact.
To date, Bella has spent over 850 days in the hospital and has had 23 surgeries due to her bowel disease and other rare conditions. She is fed via TPN, which is a method of feeding that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. Kyla has been trained to run these IVs every second night. Bella is at risk of dehydration due to her bowels dumping fluids, so some nights Kyla also has to include IV replacement fluids. Bella also has two daily injections of medications that support her bowel function and CVC site function. They need to go to their local hospital weekly for check-ins with Bella’s local Pediatrician and Bella also requires vitamin supplements daily. Apart from that, Bella has an ileostomy and Gtube button which needs daily care too.
Bella has spent over 850 days in the hospital and has had 23 surgeries due to her bowel disease and other rare conditions. She is fed via TPN, and has two daily injections of medications that support her bowel function and CVC site funtion.
Despite all Bella’s care needs, Kyla shares that “the hardest part is having to cancel outings or not enjoy experiences together due to Bella’s medical needs. It hurts when we must be separated so much living an intense medical life for our daughter.” Today Bella is happy to be feeling well enough to go to school and enjoy life with friends and family. Her days in hospital have lessened and she can spend more time doing what she loves as a kid because her medical teams have helped the family manage her bowels so well while they wait for the call. Kyla notes that “there are hard days, but I am happy that recently there has been less of them. Making the wait a little easier.”
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Gold Mining with Avenue Family Dental
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venue Family Dental is a comprehensive family-run dental clinic located in peaceful Oak Bay, British Columbia. Dr. Matt Evans and Dr. Dawn Webster are a husband-and-wife team, who work tirelessly and collaboratively with their patients to give back to different charities every two years. By being a pillar in their community and leading by example, Avenue Family Dental found the most unique way to give back and support local organizations. When the practice has collected enough gold fillings and bridges, generously donated by their patients, and sometimes even non-patients, that gold is then melted down and the profit is donated to a charity of their choice. The theme is to try and make the donations meaningful for the staff, patients, and local community. In 2021, thanks to the generosity of their patients and dedicated efforts, Avenue Family Dental donated $13,122.86 to the David Foster Foundation! Thank you, Avenue Family Dental and all of their wonderful patients who generously gave back to support transplant families!
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To date, Avenue Family Dental has raised over $70,000 for local organizations in their community. Other organizations that have been the recipients of their gold donation include the Dandelion Society, Janeece’s Place, the Mary Manning Centre, Mustard Seed, Victoria Cancer Lodge, and the Hopkins Fund at BC Children’s Hospital. “We are so grateful that the giving spirit of our patients adds up to something so meaningful. With each donation, we hope to teach our kids that you must give back in whatever way you can to make your community thrive.” — Dr. Dawn Webster Avenue Family Dental
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he David Foster Foundation’s Summer of Smiles campaign highlights the strength and character of the children who have been assisted through the transplant process. While their journeys are not over, and most of them will continue to struggle with health complications, their bright smiles and positive outlooks remind us why organ donation and financial support is so important.
This summer, we encourage you to talk to your family and loved ones about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor. Make sure to visit the Foundation’s social channels each Saturday this summer to see the latest Summer of Smiles feature. Visit davidfosterfoundation.com to learn more about how you can create and share smiles this summer!
For even more smiles be sure to visit us on social! The David Foster Foundation
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"A NIGHT ON BOARDWAY" RAISES 1
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ollowing a two-year hiatus, the David Foster Foundation returned larger than ever with a star-studded in-person event at Hotel X Toronto on May 7, 2022. For the first time the Foundation hosted ‘A Night On Broadway’, showcasing some of Broadway’s greatest talent on the stage set-up in a transformed tennis court at Hotel X Toronto’s state-of-the-art sports facility. The evening had so many memorable moments. Celebrity host, Melissa Peterman lent her wildly hilarious personality alongside her heartfelt commitment to the Foundation. The Foundation honoured and recognized the 2022 Visionary Award Winners Dr. Sylvester Chuang as the National Business Leader of the Year and Christine and Jonathon Fischer as the National Humanitarians of the Year. The Audia and Chen families shared their heartwrenching story from the stage, and the announcement of the arrival of baby Davos Chen was intensely moving. The generosity of the guests during the live auction and the Sponsor a Family campaign was admirable, as millions of dollars in direct support was raised for transplant families.. Joining David Foster on stage to deliver a one-of-a-kind show was Katharine McPhee Foster, Leslie Odom, Jr., Loren Allred, Jessica Vosk, Kara Lindsey, Erich Bergen, and Tony Vincent. More importantly, 'A Night On Broadway' raised an astounding $11.2 million to support Canadian families who need life-saving organ transplants. This support will go to assist families today and for generations to come.
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1. Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. 2. David Foster on piano with Katharine McPhee and Jessica Vosk. 3. Opening the event was The Greatest Showman.
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8. Erich Bergen performing with the Toronto Jersey Boys. 9. The Audia, Chen, and Fischer families all meeting for the first time. 10. Tony Vincent performing Jesus Christ Super Star.
4. Rosie, heart transplant recipient, on stage sharing her extraordinary journey.
11. Henry Kallan, CEO and founder of Hotel X Toronto.
5. David Foster and Katharine McPhee Foster.
12. Celebrity host, Melissa Peterman.
6. David Foster and Loren Allred. 7. Kara Lindsay performing alongside David Foster.
Photo credits: Ernesto di Stefano, George Pimentel Photography, Arthur Mola, Vito Amati Photography
The David Foster Foundation
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Business Leader of the Year, Dr. Sylvester Chaung and Pauline Chaung.
Humanitarians of the Year, Christine and Jonathon Fischer.
2022 Visionary Award Winners
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ach year, the Foundation honours notable recipients with the Visionary Awards, which recognize individuals making extraordinary contributions to local, regional, and national humanitarian and business efforts. BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR Dr. Sylvester Chaung Dr. Sylvester Chaung is the Chairman and Executive Officer of AWIN Automotive Group, GAIN Automotive Group, and Ontasian Enterprises Inc. Sylvester graduated in Medicine from McGill University in 1973 and Radiology in 1977. After completing his fellowship at the world-renowned Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, he immediately joined the staff at SickKids Hospital. Dr. Chuang was a staff Neuroradiologist in the Department of Diagnostic Imaging. He was Head of Special Procedures from 1984 to 1996, Head of Neuroradiology from 1996 to 2006 and Head of Magnetoencephalography (MEG) from 2006 to 2012. During which time he was the recipient of the first DHN Chair in Research in Diagnostic Imaging.
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Sylvester provides the vision and overall strategic planning for his Automotive Groups. He opened his first dealership in 1988 and with his strong business knowledge; he has added an additional 36 dealership rooftops covering 24 brands and 50 franchises to the group. Sylvester has always felt that it is a good business strategy to own both the dealership as well as the land and buildings for the brands that he represents and has put this belief into practice. Sylvester is noted in the Auto industry for providing a premium retail experience winning many manufacturer awards and for operating state of the art Dealerships.
Christine and Jonathon’s aspirations to make a positive change started early in their lives. Since Christine was a teenager, she has been an outspoken volunteer and advocate for helping women and children battling poverty and abuse. Jonathon is the President and CEO of Mold-Masters, the world’s first hotrunner manufacturer to provide collaborative e-Business Enterprise Resource Planning, Computer Aided Design and Internet solutions. These solutions were so innovative they were awarded patent in June 2003.
HUMANITARIANS OF THE YEAR Christine and Jonathon Fischer
The Jonathon D. Fischer Foundation was built upon mutual dreams, hopes, and aspirations to inspire and empower people to make the world a better place.
Frequent and enthusiastic supporters of all that the David Foster Foundation does, Christine and Jonathon Fischer are laser-focused on making a difference in the lives of children and making the world a better place. Through their efforts, they have given their time and resources all around the world.
Jonathon and Christine Fischer know what is needed the most, a hand-up, not just a handout. Their shared dreams to make the world a better place have manifested themselves tenfold in their lives. Thanks to Jonathan and Christine, the world has indeed become a better place!
Partner Spotlight:
The Simon Keith Foundation
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imon Keith is a two-time heart and one time kidney transplant recipient. A former world-class soccer player, Simon has become an expert in organ donation and transplantation systems around the world, growing the very organizations and people that once saved his own life. In the mid 1980’s Simon’s future was bright. His skills and determination made Simon’s dream of making the Canadian World Cup soccer team a real possibility. But a brutal illness cut that dream short. A virus had attacked Simon’s heart, and his best hope for survival was to leave Canada for the UK to wait for a heart transplant. In July of 1986, Simon received a life-saving heart transplant at Papworth Hospital in England, and promptly returned to Canada to resume his life as an athlete. Moving to Las Vegas, Simon starred on the UNLV Men’s soccer team eventually being drafted back into professional soccer. It was then that Simon Keith made history by becoming the first heart transplant recipient to play professional sports. After retiring from professional sports and a successful career as an entrepreneur, Simon became the CEO of the Nevada Donor Network - one of 57
Organ Procurement Organizations in the United States—and grew the organization from one of the worst OPO’s in the United States to one of the best in the world. In 2011, following a visit to his donor’s family in Wales, Simon was inspired to give back. He founded The Simon Keith Foundation, an organization dedicated to increasing organ donor awareness and supporting youth who have undergone a life-saving organ transplant and that desire an active and healthy lifestyle. In 2018, Simon was one of the longestliving heart transplant recipients in the world. After 32+ years with his transplanted heart, Simon desperately needed a second heart transplant and a new kidney. Due to his previous heart transplant and existing antigens in his body, Simon would only be a match for 1.5% of the population. Despite the odds, Simon received his life-saving transplants on March 17, 2019. Simon is dedicated to organ donor awareness, children recovering from organ transplants, and making the lives of others better.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS Life Legacy Members Jim & Sandi Treliving Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation
Newton Glassman Charitable Foundation in Partnership with Catalyst Capital Group
Kyle MacDonald & John Franklin Jim Pattison Joan & Paul Waechter Walter & Maria Schneider
National Partners
To learn more about the remarkable life of Simon Keith and the valuable work of The Simon Keith Foundation, please visit thesimonkeithfoundation.com or simonkeith.com.
Cares for Kids
Community Partners
Two-time heart and one-time kidney transplant recipient, Simon Keith. The David Foster Foundation
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THE DAVID FOSTER FOUNDATION A NIGHT ON
The David Foster Foundation raised a record-breaking $11.2 million to support families whose children are going through the life-saving organ transplant process. This support is to assist families today and for generations to come.
