Kidz beat
fr i d ay, o c t o b e r 8 , 2 0 1 0 T h e Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r
EW19
special advertising feature
by Emma Lee, contributing writer
The Vanisha Foundation: helping children and families in need
I
n 2003, when Stefan Grupp was born in New Westminster, he had so many health challenges that medical professionals told his parents to basically make him as comfortable as possible – he wasn’t expected to survive. Weighing just 1 lb and 5 oz and making his premature
Stefan Grupp is one of the children that benefit from the generosity of those who donate to The Vanisha Foundation.
debut at just 23 weeks and 5 days old, Stefan was categorized as a “micro-preemie” with a list of complications that far outnumbered his 10 baby fingers and toes. But Stefan did survive. And today, at seven years old and a slight 27 lbs, he’s come a long way, but he still has a lifetime of hurdles ahead of him. Stefan is not only deaf, he also can’t speak, eat with his mouth (he’s fed through a tube in his stomach), sit, crawl or walk. He requires care 24 hours a day, which he has received every day since he was born. For the parents of a child with highly specialized needs like Stefan, caring for your child can be a marathon test of physical and emotional strength, necessitating great adjustment and sacrifice. For Erin and Holger Grupp, Stefan’s parents, after six years of managing, they knew they needed help. Things were falling between the cracks – including their older son, 16-year-old Riley, and the health of the couple’s relationship. So they contacted The Vanisha Foundation. The Vanisha Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the provision of medical services, equipment and treatment for children with a facial difference or disfigurement where medical funding may be limited or unavailable. And recently, the foundation expanded its helping hand to helping families with children, who are facing other issues, like the Grupps. It all started in 2000, when a group of individuals learned about a nine-year-old
girl from Abbotsford named Vanisha Dayal (after whom the foundation is named), who, after a life-saving surgery to remove a massive cancerous tumour on her face, required reconstructive surgery that could only be performed by a doctor in the United States. The price tag? A steep $150,000 that the Dayal family did not have. “As an ad-hoc group and without any vision for a mission, our sole purpose was to raise funds for this one girl, Vanisha Dayal,” explains Michael Kumar, president of The Vanisha Foundation. “Within a period of six months, we had raised $150,000 for her reconstructive surgery and further follow-up surgeries as required. While the group of individuals involved was content with the accomplishment, they as a group wanted to continue to raise funds for other children residing in British Columbia. In the summer of 2000, the Operation Smile Because We Care Foundation [which was later renamed The Vanisha Foundation] was born.” The Vanisha Foundation raises all its funds through events held throughout the year to raise awareness for the organization or its particular causes, says Kumar. And the events gaining momentum and getting the attention of those who want to ‘pay it forward.’ “Our inaugural Annual Charity Golf started in 2000 with only 44 golfers and raised $1,800 that year. Today, the event has 144 participants and raises in excess of $10,000,” he says. In addition to helping qualifying individ-
ual families like the Grupps, the foundation also works with the Cleft Palate Craniofacial Division of BC Children’s Hospital, and has either raised money to purchase specialized equipment or donated funds, to date totaling $65,000. After Erin contacted the foundation, her family qualified to receive financial assistance from the organization. She says the money does more than just pay for more help with Stefan – it has given the family balance. “It’s given us a new lease on life, a little freedom to be like a normal family. We are a one-income family with a special-needs child. Because of the foundation’s support, I can have a break, pay for housekeeping, or do something as a family with our older son Riley.” For this family, the gift of the foundation’s support is priceless. As for the little girl named Vanisha, the namesake of the foundation and the one who inspired it all? She has just turned 21 and is studying to become a pediatric nurse, a professional choice that her mom Jaishree doesn’t think is a coincidence. “I think her early experience helped shape her career choice. From day one, that’s all she’s ever wanted to do.” Now that’s paying it forward. Support The Vanisha Foundation: If you’d like to volunteer or donate, visit www. thevanishafoundation.com.
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Vancouver
4449 We st 10th Ave 604.224.5311
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...visit www.kaboodles.ca for ongoing news and updates! All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. No other promotions or discounts during sale.
EW20 T h e
Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r friday, october 8, 2010
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The Marpole Business Association proudly presents the
The Great
Marpole Trick or Treat
Saturday, October 30th 4:00-5:00 pm Dress up in your best Halloween costume, spot the orange pumpkin decal and trick-or-treat at participating local Marpole merchants along Granville Street! Sponsored by the Marpole Business Association www.marpoleonline.com
Enter to WIN the new
Selena Gomez and the scene
A Year Without Rain
Brand new CD features “Round & Round” and “A Year Without Rain” WIN a Limited Deluxe Edition CD + DVD with 3 bonus tracks and exclusive video footage! Mail or drop off your entry to The Vancouver Courier, 1574 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1R2 or email to contest@vancourier.com with “Selena Gomez” in the subject line. Deadline for entries is Friday, October 15th, 2010 noon. Lucky winner will be contacted by phone. Must be between 12 and 19 years of age.
Name: __________________________________________
Have a spooooky and safe
Halloween Be Seen
If you’re planning on sending your children out trick-or-treating this year, ensure they are easily visible in the dark of night. Reflective tape: Apply reflective tape to your child’s costume (front and back) and shoes. Just make sure that whatever layer is outermost gets the tape applied to it. Give him/her a flashlight: It’s difficult to navigate an unfamiliar home’s yard and stairs. A mini-flashlight will help your child see where he/she is going and help prevent accidents.
Dress Appropriately Ensure your child’s costume fits him/her properly. Low flowing costumes that drag on the ground can be a tripping hazard. Nix the highheel shoes or footwear that is too big. Your child may groan, but sensible footwear will make for a much more pleasant walk through the neighbourhood. Choose face paint over face masks. Masks can obstruct vision. Use
your imagination with the face paint. Paints can be a lot more fun than masks because you can do whatever you want. Leave unwieldy accessories at home. Anything that fills up your child’s hands and can be a distraction (think big swords) or possibly injure another child should be left at home.
Out and About Kids should stay in lit areas and go to homes that are well-lit. No treats should be eaten before an adult has inspected them. This is especially important if you’re the parent of a child with allergies.
child is young (less than 10 or 11 years old), adult accompaniment is a good idea when trick-or-treating.
Never go inside the home of a stranger. Walk safely, abiding by pedestrian rules (cross at the corners, checking traffic both ways before crossing; walk on sidewalks). Kids should travel in groups of three or more for safety. And if your
If your child is going out with a group, be sure you tell him what time he/she is expected home.
Watch for our Halloween Part 2 feature: Fri, Oct. 22
Circus Arts classes for youth and adults! Individual circus arts are taught as well as CirKids – an ongoing youth training and performance program.
Dream Big...Push Limits...Defy Gravity! CircusWest Performing Arts Society Garden Auditorium, PNE Telephone: 604-252-3679
info@circuswest.com • www.circuswest.com
Daytime Phone: ___________________ Age: ___________
Happy Halloween!
Have fun
trick
or
treating!
fr i d ay, o c t o b e r 8 , 2 0 1 0 T h e Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r
EW21
Fore the children! Four must-do
fall
events for the family
Stanley Park Ghost Train
The Great Big Boo!
Get ready to be spooked at the Stanley Park Ghost Train, where every year, a new theme complete with a new set and characters, will rattle your bones. Dare to ride the miniature train ride, and then plan to visit the Haunted Children’s Farmyard. Don’t forget to wander through the lanes of Christmas displays and lights. Snacks and hot drinks will be available for sale. Tickets are $11 per adult and $7 for children and seniors. Book tickets in advance through Ticketmaster or on the same day at the ticket booth at Stanley Park. Location: Stanley Park Miniature Railway (Georgia Street entrance, straight up Pipeline Road), Vancouver Info: 604-257-8531 or http://vancouver. ca/parks/events/ghosttrain
The Great Big Boo! is the ultimate musical show to celebrate Halloween with your family. It is a spectacular theatrical production comprised of a full stage musical, with special effects, original characters, high-energy dance numbers and a dynamic soundtrack. Hosted by Sammy Jo Scarecrow, the show features a fantastical cast of magical characters. Kids, come early and show off your costume and dance moves at the Boo Alley Boo Bop! All seats $19.95 plus tax. Oct 22 - 3:30pm & 6:30pm North Vancouvern Centennial Theatre Info: 604-984-4484, www.centennialtheatre.com Oct 23 - 11am, 2pm & 6pm Surrey, Bell Performing Arts Centre Info: 604-507-6355, www.bellperformingartscentre.com
Oct. 8 – 31
Oct. 22 – 23
BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE DEBORA SWEENEY (CENTRE) ACCEPTS A CHEQUE FOR $1MILLION AT THE 15TH ANNUAL CLASSIC FORE KIDS GOLF TOURNAMENT, ORGANIZED BY THE OVERWAITEA FOOD GROUP, PARENT COMPANY OF SAVE-ON-FOODS. PICTURED WITH DEBORA ARE OFG REPRESENTATIVES MIKE OLSON, VP SAVE-ON-FOODS (LEFT) AND CARMEN CHURCOTT, VP CUSTOMER LOYALTY (RIGHT).
The success of the Overwaitea Food Group’s Charity Golf Tournament was evident in the
$1,000,000
that was raised for Child Health BC, an initiative of BC Children’s Hospital. Child Health BC is a province-wide, health-care initiative aimed at ensuring every child and adolescent in BC has easier access to a consistent standard of pediatric care— regardless of where in the province they live.
Halloween on the Heights UBC Apple Festival
Oct. 16 – 17, 11 am – 4 pm Celebrate the apple at UBC’s Apple Festival, where families can learn all about apples and taste up to 60 varieties for $3. For parents, many varieties of apple trees will be available for sale. Kids will love the children’s area where they can participate in kids’ activity stations. Enjoy the food fair as well as the entertainment that buskers will provide. Admission is $2 per adult; free for children under 12. Location: UBC Botanical Garden, UBC, Vancouver Info: 604-822-4529 or www. ubcbotanicalgarden.org/events
Oct. 30, 3:30 - 9 pm
Enjoy Halloween in Burnaby Heights. There will be fireworks on Friday, Oct. 29 at 8:15 pm at Gilmore Community School to kick off the fun. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm, trick-or-treating awaits your little ones as participating Heights merchants hand out candy and treats to anyone in a costume. After that, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Confederation Park, ride the Halloween Train in the Dark for a little spooky fun. Location: Trick-or-treating takes place on Hastings Street, from Gamma Avenue to Boundary Avenue, Burnaby Info: 604-294-8899 or www.burnabyheights.com/halloween
PACIFIC AUTISM Family Centre Bringing Knowledge and Innovation Together
AUTISM:
Finding the Missing Pieces The Pacific Autism Centre Society is holding focus groups throughout the province. Please join us in:
VANCOUVER Wednesday, November 17th | 7 to 9 p.m.
VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF SPEECH & DRAMA
Programs
| Drama | Communication Skills | Young Actors’ Company | Trinity Guildhall www.dramaschool.ca 604.684.8621 i n Va n c o u v e r ’s We s t E n d
Century Plaza Hotel, 1015 Burrard Street We want to talk with parents, family members, service providers, professionals and individuals on the spectrum to learn more about your needs in the Vancouver area, and find out how the Pacific Autism Centre Society (PACS) can help address those needs. What is the PAFC? This is a new parent and community-driven initiative, led by the not-for-profit PACS, to help all British Columbians affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other developmental disabilities.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE? Contact Dana Hough at info@pacificautismfamily.com or 888.687.2281, x. 223. For more information, and to participate in our online survey, visit:
www.pacificautismfamily.com
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Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r friday, october 8, 2010
Ram Brandrnosn9 on tu 0th! October 1
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all these OCTOBER Kids! October 2 Matthew Quock ......... 6 October 3 Devan Pawa-Larsen .. 7 Zoe Kartsonas ........... 7 Eva Kartsonas ........... 7 Adrian Fong ............... 7 October 5 Harry Song .............. 11
October 10 Brandon Ram ............ 9 October 15 Rory Pollock .............. 7 Lory Rina Salmon ...... 7 Tory Dina Salmon ...... 7
October 17 Nathan Alexander Cho . 9 October 18 Marcus ..................... 2 October 21 Lucas Alexander Lee . 2 Caroline Lizares 7 .........
October 23 Alicia Gilbert .............. 6 Vivian Lu .................... 7 October 25 Drea Lopez ................ 5 October 26 Betty Fung ................. 8
October 27 Sienna Fabbro ........... 3 October 29 Nicholas Tremblay ..... 9 October 30 Jeremy D'Souza ...... 12
Birthday wish come true
a DQ cake! expires 12/31/10
Commercial Drive DQ/OJ 1629 Commercial Drive 604-568-4542 Kitsilano DQ 2601 West Broadway 604-732-3704
find your way out of the pumpkin maze
Bring this ad to either listed DQ and receive $5.00 off
HALLOWEEN maze
Make a
October 6 Haven Keira Koida-Heath ... 2
Birthday Club Entry Form
NEXT BIRTHDAY CLUB WILL PUBLISH
Name: ______________________________
Hey Kids... Simply send us your name & birthdate and we will publish it the month of your birthday on our special Birthday Page. You will also be automatically entered to WIN a birthday prize from H.R. MACMILLAN SPACE CENTRE & DAIRY QUEEN. Winners will be contacted by phone in addition to an announcement in the paper.
Phone # _____________________________ Turning _______on: ____________________
Send to: The Birthday Club, 1574 West 6th Ave., Vancouver BC V6J 1R2. Deadline for entries for the upcoming month is Oct. 29th, 2010.
NOVEMBER 5TH, 2010