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During Angelita’s three months in the hospital, the Tavizon family attempted to

come to terms with life after Angelita’s spinal cord injury. Their 4-year-old was paralyzed from the shoulders down following a bounce house accident.

When she was released from the hospital, an outing to the movie theater made a lot of sense because of the Arizona heat. Unfortunately, Angelita’s ventilator, which is necessary to help her breathe, disrupted the other attendees and the theater manager asked the family to turn it off.

“It scarred me,” said Dalia, Angelita’s mom. “It was then that we realized that people didn’t understand. We didn’t belong there; we were out of place. No matter how much we tried to be normal, it was not going to be that way anymore.”

While that first movie experience left a scar, trips to HopeKids’ private movie screenings have helped the Tavizons heal.

November 2015Arizona

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• ArizonaCoyotes• ArizonaDiamondbacks• ASUHockey• CPForceArtFoundation• ColtenCowellFoundation• ComericaBank

• EastValleyChildren’sTheatre• IceDen–ScottsdaleLive• NationPegasusAirpark• PhoenixZoo• Rhonda&Nenos’BuildingEvent

• SeaLifeAquarium• SpotlightYouthTheatre• UltraStarMulti-tainmentCenter• ValleyYouthTheatre• Wazee’sWorldLaserZone

“It’s one of the things Angelita likes doing most,” Dalia says. “The atmosphere is amazing. You can feel it. When I hear someone else’s ventilator go off, it reminds me that we’re in a safe place.”

This month, for the first time, HopeKids families from Minnesota, North Texas and

Arizona previewed the same movie on the same morning

thanks to the generosity of Karsyn’s Krusaders.

“One of the areas that really drew Karsyn’s Krusaders to sponsor the

November movies was the vision to restore hope in a safe environment,” says

Karsyn’s Krusaders Director, Tami Brincks.

Karsyn’s Krusaders is a nonprofit organization started in 2010 by Andy and Jessica Miller to raise money and awareness of cancer, with a focus on childhood cancer.

“All of our directors have experienced some form of a cancer journey,” Jessica said. “It was easy to see how [HopeKids] was not only benefitting children, but the family as a whole...fitting perfectly with our mission of impacting

families affected by cancer. It’s important to have fun outside of the hospital

walls.“

Angelita is now 8 years old and fiercely independent driving her wheelchair using only her

headrest. Dalia recognizes the impact

HopeKids events have on their family.

“We feel like we belong,” Dalia said. “It’s amazing how everybody is so different, but at the same time, we’re so alike. We don’t experience people staring, or asking questions. It’s a different kind of friendship outside of family and friends.”

MoNTHlY MovIe ScreeNINgS WorTHY of PeANuTS

Ange

lita w

ith

her family - Jose, Dalia, and leira

Kids GivinG BacK: BlessinG BaGs

The family-friendly “Art Gives Back” event includes a kids area, food trucks, raffle prizes and more. Revival Art Collective Gallery is located at 335 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix .

“When I color, I am in a different world and I can have fun and not worry about surgeries, doctor’s appointments or what’s gonna happen in the future. I want to be able to help other kids like me who go through so much everyday and just need some hope to keep going!”

CPForce “Art Gives Back”Revival Art Collective Gallery

335 W. McDowell Road | Phoenix November 20 | 6 P.M. to 9 P.M.

James and Carlie’s first deliveries were to fellow HopeKids through donations gathered at Christmas when the twins asked for donations instead of presents. They have continued to collect enough donations to sustain their charitable project.

James’s goal is to deliver Blessing Bags to kids in all 50 states, and our priority is to visit the three HopeKids chapters first.” This week, they travel to North Texas to visit HopeKids with Blessing Bags in hand.

Stephanie Wilson, mother of James and Carlie, makes it clear that her kids were the driving force behind the Blessing Bags. “It makes them feel so good to bless others. The Bible says Jesus, Others, Yourself- it makes J.O.Y. in your heart!”

Phoenix Children’s Hospital is home away from home for five-year-old twins James and Carlie. It’s there that they receive care for primary immune deficiency disease and, for the past two years, hand out Blessing Bags to other in-patient kids. The Blessing Bags hold toys, stickers, coloring books—anything to solicit a smile.

Kids GivinG BacK: cPForce FoundationHopeKid Aidan Ringo is an 11-year-old artist with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He created the CPForce Foundation to help kids in his community. CPFource hosts “Artists for a Day” events to highlight that everyone can be creative and artistic in their own way. Last month, Aidan invited HopeKids and siblings to create custom artwork that will be auctioned at the “Art Gives Back” event with proceeds benefitting HopeKids Arizona.

HopeKids ArizonaP.O. Box 28471Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Phone: 480.282.3011Fax: 888.418.3980kimberly@hopekids.org

Copyright © 2015 HopeKids.All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe

www.hopekids.org

MEET LiLyLily is 4 years old with a smile that radiates such love and peace it almost makes her family forget there is anything wrong. She has struggled with optic nerve gliomas - a form of brain tumor with no cure - since she was diagnosed at 6 months of age. Regardless of what challenges Lily is facing, she is smiling every day.

“I have so much gratitude for all [HopeKids] has done for our family,” said Heather, Lily’s mom. “It has allowed us to focus on our family and has strengthened our relationships with one another. HopeKids has made many things possible and enriched our lives as we cope with her condition.”

HopeKids Tyson, luis and Paulina (left) and ruzger (below) enjoy the day at the Phoenix Zoo. HopeKid caiti has fun on the ice with Arizona coyotes mascot, Howler. HopeKid Samuel watches the Arizona Diamondbacks play from a private suite provided for families who have a child with cancer. HopeKid Max visits the colten cowell crime fighting cave. HopeKid Julian gets a “high 5” for completing the 7th annual HopeWalk at Notre Dame Prep High School on october 17.

HoPeday ProGram

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“Since I was young, I dreamed of having 13 kids. I think I was given the gift of Maddie because God knew if I could handle 13 kids, I could handle Maddie.”

Pat Lang’s youngest of three kids, Maddie, has a degenerative neurological disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). Since diagnosis at age 2, Maddie has had extended hospital stays and a bone marrow transplant, and has lost the ability to walk, talk and breathe on her own. Now at 18, Maddie is famous for her vibrant nail colors, good taste in music, and love of movies.

“Movies in our life are a huge deal,” Pat said. “Our whole family has always been movie buffs. But every single thing we do, I have to worry about money.”

Pat also worries about scrutiny from paying customers. “Once at a concert, a person angrily asked us to turn off Maddie’s [ventilator] machine,” Pat said. “They didn’t understand that she needs her machine 24/7 to breathe. I don’t worry about that when I’m surrounded by other families like ours at the movies. [HopeKids movies] have such a safe environment.”

November 2015Minnesota

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With popcorn smells wafting in the air, the monthly movie experience is a blend of bald heads and face masks, the whir of feeding tubes, and the Lang family entourage—which

includes Maddie in her wheelchair, followed

by a wagon of medical supplies.

On November 7, Maddie’s crew was back at the

Mann Theatres in St. Louis Park for

The Peanuts Movie.

This month, for the first time, HopeKids families from Minnesota, North Texas and Arizona previewed the same movie on the same morning thanks to the generosity of Karsyn’s Krusaders.

“One of the areas that really drew Karsyn’s Krusaders to sponsor the November movies was the vision to restore hope in a safe environment,” says Karsyn’s Krusaders Director, Tami Brincks.

Karsyn’s Krusaders is a nonprofit organization started in 2010 by Andy and Jessica Miller to raise money and awareness of cancer, with a focus on childhood cancer.

“All of our directors have experienced some form of a cancer journey,” Jessica said. “It was easy to see how [HopeKids] was not only benefitting children, but the family as a whole...fitting perfectly with our mission of impacting families affected by cancer. It’s important to have fun outside of the hospital walls.“

For the Lang family, the monthly HopeKids movie is not optional.

“We’re at every movie so long as Maddie isn’t in the hospital,” says Pat. “I get up, roll out of bed and load up, like a crazy woman. I can just go there and nobody cares. It’s our favorite thing that we can do in a non-judgmental, non-threatening atmosphere because everybody has been there, done that.”

MONTHly MOvIe ScreeNINgS WOrTHy Of PeaNuTS

•MinnesotaTwins•KTIS•GopherSports

•Northrop•TeamQuest•WomenofFaith•TiltStudios

•MinnesotaWild•PrimroseSchools•STEMBunnies

Madd

ie’s f

amily

- Mikaylah, Pat, Wyatt and cece gather around Maddie

MEET VonVon is an active 3 year old who loves to play with cars and trains, cuddle with his kitties and dog, and go to the park and swing. He was diagnosed with congenital panhypopituitarism at 3 months old. Von loves being a part of HopeKids. His favorite event was the Primrose School Book Fair where he picked out his favorite books including his Trucks book that lists all kinds of trucks and their purpose.

HopeKids MinnesotaP.O. Box 44712Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Phone: 952.270.8271Fax: 888.418.3980brian@hopekids.org

Copyright © 2015 HopeKids.All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe

www.hopekids.org

emma and grace enjoy a beautiful fall day with the STeM Bunnies at veteran’s Park. More than 100 HopeKids families capture memories during the family Portrait Day photo sessions. HopeKid Jackson gets ready for the October private movie screening of Pan sponsored by valley christian church. HopeKid Safia enjoys The little Mermaid. Karsyn’s Krusaders were on hand to greet families before The Peanuts Movie private screening.

HopeDay Bunnies, MerMaiDs anD Movies... oH My!

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Lacey and Joey Lirette sit in front of the computer with the movie trailer cued. Joey

calls out to their son in the next room. “Cohen, let’s watch the preview for The Peanuts Movie. “Two minutes and 43 seconds later, the 7-year-old makes his decision: “Yeah. Let’s go!”

Nearly six years ago, Joey and Lacey knew something wasn’t right when their active infant son stopped eating—only sitting in his mom’s lap in a lethargic haze. Cohen was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer at 10 months old.

“The tumor growing in his abdomen had to be attacked with chemotherapy and radiation,” Joey said. “There were also surgeries, immunotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Cohen was so sick when everything started the nurses later told us they were worried he wouldn’t survive the chemo.”

Today, Cohen requires hearing aids as a side effect from his treatments, but overall, his health is good. Lacey and Joey appreciate the opportunity to provide hope to newly-

November 2015North Texas

www.facebook.com/HopeKidsNorthTexas twitter.com/HopeKidsNTX www.youtube.com/user/HopeKidsInc

diagnosed families who are just starting the journey they experienced.

“At school, he knows he’s different from other kids because of his hearing aids and speech problems,” said Joey. “At the movies, he gets excited about seeing other kids who are like him.”

This month, for the first time, HopeKids families

from Minnesota, North Texas and Arizona previewed the same movie on the same morning

thanks to the generosity of Karsyn’s Krusaders.

“One of the areas that really drew Karsyn’s Krusaders to sponsor the November movies was the vision to restore hope in a safe environment,” says Karsyn’s Krusaders Director, Tami Brincks.

Karsyn’s Krusaders is a nonprofit organization started in 2010 by Andy and Jessica Miller to raise money and awareness of cancer, with a focus on childhood cancer.

“All of our directors have experienced some

form of a cancer journey,” Jessica said. “It was easy to see how [HopeKids] was not only benefitting children, but the family as

a whole...fitting perfectly with our mission of impacting

families affected by cancer. It’s important to have fun outside of the hospital walls.“

Cohen’s dad describes him as a talkative first-grader, with

a penchant for acting and a passion for movies. “When we come home [from a movie], the first thing he wants to do is recreate the show. He sets up the scenery and finds the characters. He wants us to see it the way he sees it. The whole experience is special to him.”

MONTHly MOvIe ScreeNINgS wOrTHy Of PeANuTS

The O

’Brie

n fam

ily - T

ammy, cayden and Michael - get ready for The Peanuts Movie.

• Dallas Arboretum• Texas rangers• Kelly Alexander Photography• American Airlines center• live Nation

• AT&T Performing Arts center• Taste Buds Kitchen• Alamo Drafthouse cinemas• Topgolf Allen

• Bass Pro Shop• Smashing Times• Topgolf The colony• Dallas Stars foundation• Storybook ranch

HopeWalk | october 17, 2015

Sponsors

Gensler | Purd

y-McGuire,

GL Seaman & Company

Elsa and ArielFairytale Princess Parties DFW

“Sharky”Sea Life Aquarium

“Deuce”Frisco RoughRiders

DonationsGroovy Sound Productions

Corner Bakery Cafe | Kroger

Dallas CowboysRhythm & Blue Dancers

166 Walkers

$23,656

HopeKids North TexasP.O. Box 1628Keller, TX 76244

Phone: 817.739.8123Fax: 888.418.3980bridget@hopekids.org

Copyright © 2015 HopeKids.All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe

www.hopekids.org

MEET REEcEReece is a 4-year-old firecracker who loves to dress up, dance, act, sing, and play with her sisters. She was diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia this year.

“Now we understand why she has always been so feisty,” said Roxxy, Reece’s mom. “She was preparing for the fight of her life. HopeKids has provided us with opportunities to spend quality family time together in very meaningful ways. HopeKids has eliminated barriers such as financial limitations and infection concerns so that we can just focus on our sweet girls and enjoy our time together. We are so appreciative of HopeKids during this journey.”

HopeKid Daniel enjoys the Dallas Stars game with mom, rebekah. HopeKid Austin samples his creation at Taste Buds Kitchen. HopeKid grace and big brother, Bennett, pose with a bigger-than-life Ariana grande during her concert at the American Airlines center. The lowe family previews the Pan monthly movie screening in October. HopeKid reece checks out the work of Photographer Kelly Alexander during family Portrait Day. The Harris family cheers on the rangers at the final home game of the season.

HopeDay program