David Foster Foundation Winter 2014/2015 Newsletter

Winter 2014/2015 Volume 10

CELEBR ATE The Gift of Life

The Curtis Kellar Story The Calgary Miracle Gala & Concert was a huge success!

WHAT’S INSIDE The Curtis Kellar Story . . . . . . . . . . .

Message from the Chairman . . . . .

Message from the CEO . . . . . . . . . .

Message from the SVP, Fund Development . . . . . . . . . . .

1 2 3

6 Social Worker Sharron Ferdinand . . 7 2013 Family Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sponsor a Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 WestJet Cares for Kids Program . . . 8 #UsedHelps Campaign . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Visionary Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Calgary Miracle Gala & Concert . . 10 Give the Gift of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Thanks to Our National Sponsors . 12 Follow us on:

“To say Curtis is a medical anomaly is to put it mildly— he had such a tiny chance of a transplant match”

C

urtis Kellar was born a seemingly healthy, 7 pound 11 ounce baby boy. His parents were overjoyed with their first addition to their family with no idea that their precious little boy was already sick and that an incredible fight lay before him. When Curtis was three months old he stopped breathing in his mother, Amber’s arms. He was Heart transplant recipient, Curtis Kellar with his immediately rushed to hospital where father, Alex. doctors discovered he had a hole in his heart. It was determined that he would eventually need surgery, but that they could afford to wait a while. Life was normal for the next 15 months, while Curtis grew and played and became a curious and energetic toddler!

Curtis was 16 months when he went for his first surgery. During his surgery they closed the hole in his heart and repaired a leaky valve; everything looked great. The Kellars made it through the tough times in the hospital by continued on page 4

Message from the Chairman

2

014 has been such an exciting year!

From closing in on a huge milestone of assisting close to 1,000 families, to celebrating our biggest fundraising gala ever in Calgary this past September, this was a year of miracles.

I am extremely grateful for all the support that our foundation has received in so many ways this year.

“we can help alleviate some of the financial pressures these families are feeling and in some small way we may be able to bring some form of joy to the families during this time of year.”

My hope is that you will reflect on the important things this Christmas season and consider giving the ultimate gift–by registering to be an organ donor… One day you may give the gift of life.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As I look ahead to 2015, we are committed to working even harder to support more families with critically sick children; we could not do this without the generous ongoing support of our financial donors, our Board of Directors, and the incredibly hard working staff of the Foundation.

Sincerely,

I can’t imagine the stress that a family goes through when they hear that their child is in need of a lifesaving organ transplant. Parents are forced to stop working, paying their rent or mortgage, and even buying groceries becomes next to impossible. This is already such a difficult time; no family should have to carry the burden of this experience when their child is fighting for their life.

David Foster, Founder and Chairman

Christmas is such a joyous time for families to embrace the important things in life, such as being together with family, friends, and appreciating good health. We often take this for granted. This time of year I often reflect on how the financial stresses are amplified for many of our families over the holidays. And I am grateful that with the help of our foundation, we can help alleviate some of the financial pressures these families are feeling and in some small way we may be able to bring some form of joy to the families during this time of year.

“This time of year I often reflect on how the financial stresses are amplified for many of our families over the holidays.”

2

Winter 2014/2015

David meeting with some of the recent organ transplant recipients and their families at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

www.davidfosterfoundation.com

Message from the CEO

A

s the year draws to an end, it is the perfect time to reflect on the milestones reached in the past twelve months, to set forth goals for the New Year, and to count our many blessings.

2014 was a big year for us at the David Foster Foundation and as always we are so grateful for all our supporters and volunteers who make our work possible. In our 27 years, we are grateful to have helped close to 1,000 families and provided millions of dollars in direct financial support—a feat we simply could not have accomplished without the donations, time, and talent of our supporters over the years. Our continuing partnership with WestJet and TELUS has been amazing and we were so thankful for their generosity in hosting our 2014 Miracle Gala and Concert in Calgary this past September. What a night! On behalf of the families that we support, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to so many people that made this event possible.

“In our 27 years, we are grateful to have helped close to 1,000 families and provided millions of dollars in direct financial support – a feat we simply could not have accomplished without the donations, time, and talent of our supporters over the year.” community, school or even by pledging financially.

Go to www.davidfosterfoundation.com for details on organ donation.

On behalf of all of us at the David Foster Foundation, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and HAPPY NEW YEAR. We could not do what we do without THE AMAZING SUPPORT OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

With gratitude and appreciation,

Mike Ravenhill, Chief Executive Officer

Our staff and board of directors work tirelessly throughout the year, and their service is greatly appreciated! Furthermore, our corporate and national sponsors provide us with the financial stability to help families today, and ensure that we can support families for many years to come.

We have so many families still waiting for an organ transplant to save their life. I encourage you to give the ultimate gift–the gift of life! This Christmas, please register to be an organ donor.

Organ donation is such a simple thing to do, you just fill out a donor registration card and sign your name, but that small act can change the lives of so many people.

Thousands of people across the country are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and you can help change that by involving your friends and family, your business

Curtis Kellar, with his life beads, and Mike Ravenhill, CEO.

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

3

continued from page 1

“Curtis was at higher risk because of all of his previous surgeries and the transplant team expected a long wait time to find a heart that would suit him.”

Curtis Kellar while waiting for a heart transplant.

pulling together, believing the surgery would fix their precious boy’s heart and they could go back to being a normal family. Sadly, that was not in the cards and shortly after his surgery Curtis developed pneumonia.

For weeks he was kept in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) fighting for is life.

It turned out that the repaired valve did not properly do its job and the blood could not flow from the lungs.

Once Curtis had gained enough strength, he underwent another surgery to replace it with an artificial valve. He had a great team, and everyone thought his heart was still fixable. The Kellars finally left Edmonton with their little boy outfitted with a pacemaker and mechanical valve. Many hospital visits would be in their future, but at least for the moment, they had their baby back home.

The words “heart transplant” were never mentioned and the Kellars had no idea it was that dire, even after a few more hiccups and a GTUBE was inserted into Curtis’ little body to help get medication and nutrition into him and keep his heart from failing again. When a routine checkup revealed his heart was steadily weakening, the Kellars were shocked and devastated.

The family was once again displaced to Edmonton where they met with the transplant team and learned of their options. Weak blood flow to the heart itself from the coronary arteries had led to the heart muscle getting progressively weak and enlarged. Another surgery to improve the blood flow to the heart muscle had not improved the situation. The only option for him

4

Winter 2014/2015

to survive and have a good quality of life was a heart transplant. However, Curtis was at higher risk because of all of his previous surgeries and the transplant team expected a long wait time to find a heart that would suit him. Further procedures to keep Curtis alive while he waited were discussed including immediately outfitting him with a Berlin Heart or another Ventricular Assist Device system, any of which would come at a high risk.

The Kellars made the heart-wrenching decision to take their baby home. They no longer knew how long they had with their little boy and did not want all of that time spent in the hospital. At that time he was started on an intravenous medication called Milrinone which would be his lifeline for another eighteen months while he waited for a heart. Realizing that time spent in the hospital waiting for a heart was no place for a small boy, the Kellar’s medical team developed a plan which would allow them to take him back home while they waited.

Curtis had a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) that his medicine ran through which he carried around in a backpack everywhere he went. He went swimming, played outside and went to school like that for over a year. Being like any other boy, he lived life to the fullest, and of course he went through PICC lines like crazy and every broken line meant another stay in hospital. The Kellars spent birthdays, Christmases and anniversaries in and out of hospital, but it was worth it to be able to have Curtis at home for the most part.

Near the end of his year on Milrinone, Curtis was a very sick little boy. The doctors had put him on the highest dose he could have. He was hardly walking, he was living with oxygen 24/7 and the family was spending more time in hospital then out. He was in end stage heart failure, and at that point they were out of options. Curtis had a ventricular assist device called a Heartware implanted which allowed him to eventually head back to Calgary with his family to patiently wait for his miracle heart.

www.davidfosterfoundation.com

“The David Foster Foundation has helped reduce financial stress and allowed us to be next to Curtis when he needed us the most. We are forever grateful that in our biggest time of need, we were able to stay together as a family! Please give the gift of life and sign your donor cards. You could help save a child like Curtis.”

–Amber Kellar Curtis Kellar with his brother, Eli, and David Foster visiting the WestJet Campus.

Although they continued to have ups and downs, Curtis was going about the important business of being a growing boy. He hit many milestones and suffered many setbacks, but through it all Curtis kept fighting and growing, a miracle to his family.

Today, to say Curtis has come a long way would be a profound understatement. Curtis made an incredible appearance at the David Foster Foundation Miracle Gala and Concert on September 27th 2014 in Calgary, just two weeks after receiving his new heart. He runs, laughs, plays and his Mom, Amber says “we are finally starting to see his true self!” Curtis is energetic, adventurous and ready to search out all the world has to offer! Amber is quick to caution that the journey is far from over. Curtis still has weekly follow ups and he requires IVIG once a month (Intravenous administered immunoglobulin). However, he is adjusting fantastically.

Amber says he hasn’t had a tired week and the family has trouble keeping up with him. Where he once couldn’t walk ten steps without needing a break, Curtis now walks everywhere, running wherever he can, thrilled to be free of the tubes and the backpack that ruled his life for as long as he can remember.

He doesn’t even nap anymore, a feat his family calls remarkable. They say, “It feels like we have a whole new person in our family–nothing is the same except for his wise-cracks,” which thankfully have always

been a staple of his immutable personality and carried his family through the hard times, from operation to operation over the last five years.

Since the heart transplant, Curtis is now able to live without a Ventricular Assist Device, feeding tubes, oxygen tanks and a defibrillator kit, which used to accompany him everywhere. Where an emergency kit once ruled their lives, Amber and Alex can now concentrate on regular family things–dinner all together, grocery shopping trips, and a plan to move to Lethbridge closer to their parents, when finances allow. One of the most significant milestones for Amber is that Curtis has now left the house twice without her, something she never thought would happen.

To say Curtis is a medical anomaly is to put it mildly— he had such a tiny chance of a transplant match, and for his transplant to have gone so successfully is nothing short of a miracle. Seven weeks post-transplant he has shown no signs of rejection, and although he has a long road of post-transplant medical requirements and appointments ahead of him. Curtis’s resilience, determination and spirit serve to remind us that even under the direst of circumstances, faith, love and medical ingenuity can prevail.

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

5

Message from the SVP, Fund Development

A

s a result of the generous donations of Canadians from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, The David Foster Foundation continues to be able to support families who have a child going through the life-saving organ transplant process and who require financial assistance.

Imagine–the stress on the whole family, from the time the family receives the news from their doctor that their child will not survive without an organ transplant, through the agonizing days and months to receive the actual transplant organ. In addition, there is the actual transplant surgery, the recovery and often, the continuous travel, time away from work and the lost income, for regular medical check-ups for years to follow.

Imagine–you are a single parent. You have three other children living at home and due to the severity of your child’s medical situation, you are required to move to a hospital in another city, often another province, for an extended period of time. You now have more expenses that include another residence which exacerbates the level of the emotional stress for the whole family.

The situation is particularly poignant as the majority of the families we support have a total family income under $25,000.00.

I urge you to read the Curtis Kellar story that is featured in this newsletter as it tells the David Foster Foundation story more succinctly and far better than I can and why your support is so very important.

The “Ask”: We are hoping you will consider participating in our Sponsor A Family Program. We have established a special segregated fund whereby 100% of the money you donate goes directly to the families. Not a single penny of your donation is allocated to the administration cost for the foundation.

The average annual cost to support a family and their child going through the life-saving organ transplant process is $10,000.00. As a Registered Canadian Charity

6

Winter 2014/2015

“Thank you for your time. Thank you for the money. Thank you for the words of encouragement. Thank you for remembering my family’s dignity.”

No. 10700 4210 RR001 and US Charity/US Federal ID No. 81-0581479, you will receive a tax receipt for the full amount of your donation.

How can you make a donation to the David Foster Foundation?: 1. Mail your cheques to David Foster Foundation, 212 Henry Street, Victoria BC V9A 3H9 2. Credit card–call our Victoria office using our toll free number @ 1-877-777-7675 3. Online at www.davidfosterfoundation.com If you have any questions, would like more details on how you can support our families, please do not hesitate to contact me personally at 416-865-4646, or email me at jdanson@davidfosterfoundation.com Allow me to close my remarks with a quote from a family supported by The David Foster Foundation: “Thank you for your time. Thank you for the money.

Thank you for the words of encouragement. Thank you for remembering my family’s dignity”.

With your generous support, together, we can create more tomorrows for children.

www.davidfosterfoundation.com

Sincerely,

John Danson, Senior Vice President, Fund Development

Social Worker Sharron Ferdinand

Sponsor a Family

I

am the Pediatric Transplant Social Worker at the University of Alberta Hospital; covering pediatric liver, small bowel, heart and lung transplant patients. One of my roles as the Pediatric Transplant Social Worker is being attuned to address the immense financial burden of transplant families with existing resources. These families come from all walks of life and different provinces in Canada. The David Foster Foundation is a transplant specific, non profit organization that offers financial, non medical support to families of children whose lives have been touched by transplant. This organization is instrumental in alleviating financial stressors that affect parents’ and caregivers’ abilities to emotionally, mentally and physically attend to their loved ones needs. The recipients of David Foster funding express their gratitude for the support given at their most vulnerable time; the foundation has undoubtedly enhanced these family’s lives.

100

% of every dollar received through the Sponsor a Family program goes to the direct financial support of families with children undergoing major organ transplants. Although, the cost can be well over $100,000.00, the average annual cost to support a family is $10,000.00 during the child’s transplant process.

We are so pleased that with the funds raised in Calgary we are closer to reaching our $30 M by our 30th anniversary goal that will continue to assist families for generations to come.

May this special season bring you and your family, peace, hope and joy!

2013 Family Expenses Property Taxes 1% Taxi/Bus/ Ferry/Rail 3%

Utilities 4% Insurance 1%

Unallocated 11%

Airfare 9%

Telephone 3%

Accommodations Over 2 Weeks 30%

Funeral 0% Parking 0%

Gas 10%

Food 21%

Motor Vehicle Rental/Repair 2% Child Care 1% Clothing 0 %

Accommodations Less Than 2 Weeks 3%

2013 Family Expenses n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

Property Taxes Utilities Insurance Accommodations Over 2 Weeks Accommodations Less Than 2 Weeks Food Clothing Child Care Motor Vehicle Rental/Repair Gas Parking Funeral Telephone Airfare Taxi/Bus/Ferry/Rail Unallocated

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

7

WestJet Cares for Kids Program “WestJetters feel privileged to be able to help people in the best way they know how”

T

he David Foster Foundation is proud to announce their new partnership with the WestJet Cares for Kids program. The WestJet Cares for Kids program was launched in March 2007 and currently supports eight national charities that work to improve children’s health and wellness.

David with WestJet Pilots on his way to Calgary for the Miracle Gala & Concert.

WestJetters feel privileged to be able to help people in the best way they know how; through the gift of flight! By donating the gift of flight, WestJet assists in flying families whose children are going through the life-saving organ transplant process to their doctor appointments, transplant check-ups, or even reuniting a family! WestJetters give their energy and caring spirit everyday by providing a customized guest experience for children who have specialized medical requirements as well as by volunteering in their communities and hosting fundraising efforts.

#UsedHelps Campaign “As a national charity that works to support the nonmedical expenses of Canadian families with children undergoing life-saving organ transplants, the David Foster Foundation is excited to be a partner with this new, unique and non-traditional funding source.”

David Foster, Chairman of the David Foster Foundation

T

he David Foster Foundation has teamed up with UsedEverywhere for their #UsedHelps campaign. With over a million users, UsedEverywhere is a family-friendly network of local websites that provide users with the opportunity to buy, sell, and trade items. This online community brings people together by the smallest and simplest things. #UsedHelps is a brand new, unique campaign that allows individuals to sell their previously loved items online and donate all proceeds to the charity of their choice.

For more information on #UsedHelps and how you can donate, please visit: www.UsedEverywhere.com

8

Winter 2014/2015

www.davidfosterfoundation.com

Visionary Awards

O

ver the years, the David Foster Foundation has presented a Visionary Award to outstanding individuals. World-renowned artist Maarten Schaddelee has designed and sculpted the David Foster Foundation Visionary Award sculptures for the past 4 years. Maarten Schaddelee creates his work at Maarnada Studios Gallery and Sculpture Garden overlooking the ocean in Victoria, B.C. Canada. www.maarnada.ca The David Foster Foundation honours Sheldon Kennedy as their 2014 Humanitarian of the Year. Sheldon Kennedy skated for three teams in his eight-year NHL career but is best known for his courageous decision to charge his Major Junior Hockey league coach with sexual assault for the abuse he suffered over a five year period while a teenager under his care. Sheldon has become an inspiration to millions of abuse survivors around the world and a committed, outspoken child advocate. In 2006, Sheldon wrote “Why I Didn’t Say Anything” a riveting account of the many psychological impacts of abuse. Sheldon serves on the Board of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, the first-ofits-kind in Canada, offering full wrap-around services for victims of child abuse.

The David Foster Foundation honours Jim Treliving, one of our own board members with the 2014 Business Leader of the Year. Jim Treliving is the chairman and owner of Boston Pizza International Inc. (BPI). Together with his business partner, George Melville, Jim sets the corporate strategy for Boston Pizza and several other businesses which he and George have invested in, collectively known as the T&M Group of Companies.

Jim was born and raised in the small town of Virden, Manitoba. At eighteen years old, he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and served on the Force for eight years, in British Columbia and Alberta. After trying pizza for the first time in a restaurant in Edmonton, Jim thought he might try his hand at business. Jim took the leap and opened the very first Boston Pizza franchise in Penticton, British Columbia in 1968. He stars as one of the five Dragons on the highly successful CBC’s reality TV show, Dragon’s Den, where aspiring entrepreneurs secure a financial investment from the Dragons to start their own business.

Visionary Award artist, Maarten Schaddelee.

David with 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award recipient Sheldon Kennedy

David with 2014 Business Leader of the Year Award recipient Jim Treliving

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

9

A Highly Successful David Foster and Friends “The funds raised will help families that receive assistance from the Foundation each year, and will help the Foundation work toward its goal of raising $30 M by their 30th anniversary in 2017.”

T

his year the David Foster Foundation hosted their 27th Miracle Gala & Concert – presented by TELUS and held at the WestJet campus in Calgary, Alberta.

DFF CEO, Mike Ravenhill with heart transplant recipient, Curtis Kellar

One of the most heartfelt moments of the evening was when Curtis Kellar and his family joined Mike Ravenhill on stage to display his life beads. Curtis’ beads doubled the length of the stage and represent each procedure he has endured throughout his 5 short years of life while waiting for a new heart.

The funds raised will help families that receive assistance from the Foundation each year, and will help the Foundation work toward its goal of raising $30 M by their 30th anniversary in 2017. The David Foster Foundation works with families during this difficult time to assist with their non-medical expenses while they wait–often far from home–for their child to receive a viable organ for transplant. The average cost for a family is $10,000 per year, but can reach up to $100,000.

Curtis Kellar displaying his life in beads.

Mike Ravenhill and longest living heart transplant recipient, Simon Keith.

10

Winter 2014/2015

Board of Director, Jeffrey Latimer, during the Sponsor a Family Campaign.

www.davidfosterfoundation.com

Miracle Gala and Concert The evening began with the star-studded arrival of guests, VIPs and celebrities along the purple carpet before entering the completely transformed WestJet hangar. Guests were treated to performances by David Foster, Jennifer Hudson, Jackie Evancho, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Brett Kissel, and comedian Sinbad.

And, legendary rock superstar Steven Tyler brought down the house as he performed a medley of hits during a surprise appearance that helped close the show.

The evening was emceed by CNN’s Michaela Pereira, who was joined by other notable guests including hockey commentator and former NHL goalie Kelly Hrudey, Mrs. Laureen Harper, Sheldon Kennedy, cast members of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, former wrestler Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and Dragon Jim Treliving. Simon Keith, former professional soccer player, motivational speaker and author, and one of the oldest living heart transplant recipients, attended the gala for the third consecutive year.

Kenny “BabyFace” Edmonds, David Foster, Mike Ravenhill, & Jeffrey Latimer.

The concert was kicked off by David Foster playing the theme song from the 1988 Calgary Olympic Winter Games, which he described as, “the best song he has ever written,” and ended with a spectacular performance by Steven Tyler. At the end of the night, David Foster took to the microphone to confirm that the evening had raised a record breaking $8 million!

Surprise guest & headliner, Steven Tyler!

Jennifer Hudson performing on stage.

Evening emcee, Michaela Pereira, CNN News Anchor and Victoria, BC native.

David Foster Foundation Newsletter

11

Give the Gift of Life Start your New Year off with giving the Gift of Life!

F

or many people, the New Year begins with a personal reflection of how you could make a positive impact on your life or others.

If you have made the personal decision to become an organ donor, however, have not made the steps to register within your province we encourage you to take 5 minutes and be become a registered organ donor.

It is also very important to let your family be made aware of your wishes to be an organ donor.

Please visit: www.liveon.ca to register within your province.

“The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” – Peter Marshall

Thanks to Our National Sponsors!

To donate to the David Foster Foundation and support children and their families receiving life-saving organ transplants, please visit www.davidfosterfoundation.com or mail in your donation directly to:

David Foster Foundation, 212 Henry Street, Victoria, BC V9A 3H9 CANADA

12

Winter 2014/2015

www.davidfosterfoundation.com