courage lives here …
VANCOUVER CANUCKS ALUMNI: SUPPORTERS OF BC KIDS AND FAMILIES
SPRING 2013CANUCKS ALUMNI CLIFF RONNING AND DAVE BABYCH JOIN CANUCK PLACE TEEN KARSTEN
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CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE
1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 2T2
t: 604.731.4847 or toll free at 1.877.882.2288
www.canuckplace.org
CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE
1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 2T2
t: 604.731.4847 or toll free at 1.877.882.2288
Table of ContentsJOHN ROSE, Hospice ChairNuheat Industries Limited
MICHELLE CYBULIAKFamily Representative, Abbotsford
R. THOMAS BURLEYOakcrest Park Estates Ltd.
NEIL DUKEQuikrete Canada, Target Products Ltd.
LAURA EDWARDSYork House School
KATE FURBERPricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
BARBARA GRANTHAMBarbara Granthan Consulting Services Inc.
GORD HUSTONEnvision Financial (Retired)
HELEN LOWFasken Martineau DuMoulin
PATTI SCHOM-MOFFATTEdelman
KATHERINE WHITTREDProvince of BC (Retired)
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is a Registered Canadian Charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) www.cra.gc.ca and operates as a Society and a Foundation.
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice Society:13386 7523 RR0001
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE SOCIETY
COURAGE SPOTLIGHT WITH NURSE STEPHANIE GILLES 2
CANUCK PLACE AWARDED EXEMPLARY STANDING 2
FANG FAMILY FINDS MAGIC MOMENTS AT CANUCK PLACE 3
THE CAMPER’S VIEW: CANUCK PLACE TEEN RICHARD 3
CANUCK PLACE EVENTS 4 – 5
‘NANI’ GIVES BACK FOR HER GRANDSON 6
COVER STORY THE GAME CHANGERS: VANCOUVER CANUCKS ALUMNI 7
CANUCK PLACE ABBOTSFORD AND TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER 7
FARIS GETS THE WISH OF A LIFETIME 8
UPCOMING EVENTS 8
— MARGARET MCNEIL, Canuck Place CEO
“The lives of our children and families are touched everyday
by the dedicated investment you make in our programs.”
STEPHANIE GILLES (bottom row, right) takes a moment to pose with her nursing team on the 2nd floor at Canuck Place.
Courage Spotlight with Nurse Stephanie Gilles
COURAGEBUILDERS
Canuck Place was recently
accredited with Exemplary
Standing by Accreditation
Canada, the highest level
of accreditation granted to
healthcare organizations,
following a rigorous assess-
ment of its services against
nationally accepted standards
comprising of almost 400
applicable criteria.
“The team at Canuck Place
Children’s Hospice is com-
mitted 365 days a year to
delivering world-class care to
children and families across
BC,” said Margaret McNeil,
Canuck Place CEO. “We are
grateful to the community
of donors and partners who
support our commitment
to critical, safe and high-
quality care for children with
life-threatening illnesses and
their families. “
“This accomplishment is
cause for celebration,” said
Wendy Nicklin, President and
CEO of Accreditation Canada.
“The warmth and profes-
sionalism of the whole team
as well as their flexibility and
commitment to quality and
safety led to a decision of
which they should be proud.”
Thank-you to all our donors,
supporters, partners and
friends, whose dedication
to the children and families of
BC helped make this incred-
ible accomplishment possible.
How long have you been in nursing and healthcare? What brought you to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, and how long have you been here?
As a nursing student I had my community
placement at Canuck Place. I knew at that
point I wanted to work for Canuck Place; a
year later I started working as an LPN and
continued to work at Canuck Place once I
became a registered nurse. I have worked
here now for over 8 years.
What is so special about working in the area of pediatric palliative care?
I think that working in the area of pediatric
palliative care is special because we have
the honour of working with these children
and families that are going through one of
the most terrible times of their lives and
we are trying to make it as painless and as
dignified as possible.
What would you say to someone who has never heard about Canuck Place programs and services? How would you describe Canuck Place? What makes it unique?
I tell them I work at a pediatric hospice and
that we provide outreach, respite, pain and
symptom management and end-of-life care
to children and their families from the ages of
newborn to 19 years of age with a progres-
sive life-threatening illness. I would say that
we are unique, as we might know a family for
just a few hours to years and even beyond
the life of their child.
What inspires you to come to work every day?
The amazing families and staff I get to see
and work with every day.
What would you like to share with Canuck Place Donors?
I would like to thank the donor community
for supporting children with life-threatening
illnesses. I have the privilege to care for these
amazing babies, children and teens. It has
been one of the most rewarding experiences
of my life. These children have an amazing
outlook on life and teach us each and every
day to enjoy each moment and live life to
the fullest.
CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S
HOSPICE AWARDED THE
HIGHEST LEVEL OF HEALTHCARE
ASSESSMENT WITH
ACCREDITATION CANADA
John and Dorothy Fang came to Canuck
Place in 2006, with their son Cody. Cody
had been experiencing seizures and infantile
spasms not long after he was born.
At just three months old, doctors gave John
and Dorothy terrible news: their little boy
only had 10 days to a month to live.
At first, they tried to continue looking after
Cody at home, but it quickly became clear
that they couldn’t cope with the level of care
that he now needed. That’s when they came
to Canuck Place, where the clinical staff
taught John and Dorothy how to administer
his medications and adjust the tubes that
were helping Cody stay alive and live com-
fortably at home.
Cody’s time with his mom, dad, and broth-
ers, Jeremy and Brady, grew from days to
months to three years. “We were allowed to
live as a family at Canuck Place, even with a
sick child,” said John. “We were able to have
all those little moments that wouldn’t have
otherwise been possible — like having a
Santa Claus at Christmas time who knew how
to hold a sick child, or bringing Cody to the
kitchen to eat when he didn’t eat all that much.
Those moments still mean so much to us.”
Cody passed away at Canuck Place in 2006,
but John still stops by the house sometimes
to sit in the garden and think about his son,
and the time he shared with his family there.
“There is a certain kind of magic and spirit
at Canuck Place,” he reflected. “Families and
children are happy here. It is a place of joy,
even through difficult times.”
My favorite thing to do in the summer is go
to the Canuck Place Camp. I look forward
to Camp every year because it is the only
time I get to see my friends. My friends live
very far away so I don’t get to see them
very much. Last year was awesome. We got
to shoot targets with paint ball guns. I had
never used a paint ball gun before, so as
soon as they gave me the gun I went crazy
and demolished my target. We also played
Fear Factor. One of my friends had to try to
eat Tabasco covered marshmallows, but he
couldn’t handle the spice. On the last night,
we had a medieval dinner. There was a
sword fight going on while we were eating.
There were sparks flying everywhere and
afterwards there was a party with a DJ, a
caricature artist, and even jousting. Some of
the Camp counsellors were jousting, too. The
time I spend at camp is the most fun I get to
have with my friends all year, but it always
ends too soon. I’d like to be able to just have
a few more days where I can have fun and
be with my friends, and I think that all the
other kids at camp would like that, too. But
being at camp isn’t just about having fun.
Through the years that I have gone to
Canuck Place camp, it has helped me with
my self-confidence and given me other life
skills that I wouldn’t have had a chance to
learn anywhere else. This summer will be
the last year that I get to go to Camp, and I
want to make this year the most memorable
year for me, and for all my friends.
The Camper’s View: Canuck Place Teen Richard
From left: Brady, Dorothy, Cody, John and Jeremy.Richard clowning around at Canuck Place Teen Camp
Fang Family Finds Magic Moments at Canuck Place
“EVERY DAY AT CANUCK PLACE, FAMILIES SHOW
INCREDIBLE COURAGE AS THEY
JOURNEY THROUGH UNIMAGINABLE
CIRCUMSTANCES.”
canuck place children’s hospice · newsletter spring 2013
5
FROM OUR FAMILIES
OUR EVENTS
Over 220 racers laced up and geared up for
the 7th annual Innovative Fitness Canuck Place
Adventure Challenge on September 15 and 16 at
Deep Cove in North Vancouver and Cultus Lake
in Chilliwack in support of Canuck’s for Kids Fund
for Canuck Place kids and families. The sunny
weekend brought out enthusiastic participants,
Vancouver Canucks mascot Fin and generous
sponsor and volunteer support. Chris Gailus from
Global TV shared race highlights and Innovative
Fitness clients and families together raised an
incredible $235,000 for Canuck Place!
Look for news on the 2013 Adventure Challenge
for Kids presented by Innovative Fitness on
canuckplace.org.
An awesome group of participants, families and
friends raised over $30,000 in the 3rd annual
Canuck Place Hospice Hustle supporting Canuck
Place kids and families.
Canuck Place CEO Margaret McNeil was
joined by Mayor of Abbotsford, Bruce Banman,
Vancouver Canucks’ Fin and Canuck Place therapy
dog, Poppy, for a fantastic warmup from friends at
Innovative Fitness.
Look for news on canuckplace.org on the Hustle
for Canuck Place June 8 in Vancouver and June 9
in Abbotsford.
They Came, They Paddled, They Biked, They Hiked!
Hustle for Canuck Place
canuck place children’s hospice · newsletter spring 2013
canuck place children’s hospice · newsletter spring 2013
7777
Sixteen-year-old Canuck Place teen Alisa had a
special role when she pressed the big button with
the Vancouver Canucks mascot Fin and was the
spark for the annual Canuck Place Lighting of the
House. Her father was so proud of Alisa’s role, he
brought a firetruck with his firehall crew to wit-
ness the moment. Thanks to generous donors the
event raised over $180,000 supporting programs
like 24-hour nursing support, clinical care, grief
and bereavement groups, recreation, art and
music therapy. Special thanks to Starbucks,
Kryton International Inc., Rix Family Foundation
and WPS Disaster Management Systems for
supporting the event.
The 8th annual Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala
presented by TELUS was held at the Westin
Bayshore Vancouver with over $700,000 raised
to support critical palliative care for children and
families facing life-threatening illnesses from
across British Columbia. Gala committee co-
chairs Karen Bowering and Claire Newell were
incredible leaders. The evening was hosted by co-
MC’s Chris Gailus and Tara McGuire, and featured
up-and-coming singers Cody Karey and Friends,
the St. James Music Academy Choir, Canuck Place
family speakers Nelia and Andrew Evans, and
spectacular auctioneer Howard Blank, with guest
appearances by Canucks Alumni President Gerry
Sillers and TV personalities John Shorthouse and
Dan Murphy. The memorable evening saw over 600
guests demonstrate their generosity by investing
in bed lifts for Canuck Place Abbotsford and
bidding on the 350 silent auction items secured
by the Gift of Time Committee, then dancing the
night away with the closing band Dr. Strangelove.
A Spark in Canuck Place Family Lives
Gift of Time Galapresented by TELUS
Canuck Place Teen Alisa centre with blanket is surrounded by back row, left to right: Fin, Canuck Place CEO Margaret McNeil, Minister Colin Hansen, Canuck Place dad Trevor, Canuck Place Board Chair John Rose. Front row: Canuck Place teen Alisa and her mom Teresa.
APRIL 2013
APRIL 4 · Canucks for Kids Fund
Telethon
MAY 2013
· MAY 5 BMO Marathon RUN4HOPE
· MAY 24 12th Annual HomeLife Charity Golf Classic
· MAY 28 PWC and Richmond Automall 28th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
JUNE 2013
· June 1
Hustle for Canuck Place 5 km Run Walk — Abbotsford
· June 8
Hustle for Canuck Place 5 km Run Walk — Vancouver
JULY 2013
· July 10 Annual Ride for Hope
AUGUST 2013
· AUGUST 22 YVR for Kids Golf Tournament, Quilchena Golf & Country Club
SEPTEMBER 2013
· Annual Adventure Challenge for Kids presented by Innovative Fitness
OCTOBER 2013
· OCTOBER 19 Annual Gift of Time Gala presented by TELUS
Canuck Place child Faris represented
the organization in an on ice cheque
presentation at the Bieksa’s Buddies Charity
Hockey game. To everyone’s surprise — BC
native and international superstar Michael
Bublé joined the festivities and donated
$100,000 to the $100,000 that had already
been raised. Faris, a talented performer
himself, was so excited to be standing so
close to one of his singing heroes — he was
speechless. After the event, Faris asked if
his YouTube singing videos could be sent
to the Burnaby-born crooner. Bublé was so
moved by Faris big heart he sent a signed
copy of his CD just for Faris. Thanks to
Kevin Bieksa and his band of musicians (The
Tenors), players (UBC Men’s hockey Team,
NHL and Canuck players) and Michael Bublé
for supporting children and families in BC.
Faris Gets the Wish of a Lifetime
Canuck Place child Faris represents the organization in an on-ice cheque presentation at the Bieksa Buddies game. Faris meets two
of his personal heroes; Kevin Bieksa and Michael Bublé.
Big-hearted, Burnaby-born singing sensation Michael Bublé watches Faris YouTube singing
video and sends him a signed CD of his hits.
After the game, Faris sends his YouTube singing videos ‘One Thing — Faris
‘aka’ Freeze’ to his favourite crooner, Michael Bublé.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please log on to canuckplace.org
for more information
The Canuck Place kitchen serves up to
nutritious meals a day to the children and families at Canuck Place, 7 days per week, at no cost to the families.
Canuck Place has 2 specially equipped accessible vans to transport children in wheelchairs on recreational outings throughout the community.
The butterfly is used as a symbol in hospices around the world, representing transition.
Canuck Place has Canada’s first fully accessible outdoor playground – a popular feature is the wheelchair accessible spinning round-about.
Canuck Place is the only free-standing children’s hospice
in British Columbia.
Families come from all over BC to access the programs offered at Canuck Place.
Canuck Place has over
trained volunteers
Music therapy is available to all Canuck Place children, siblings and families.
Canuck Place has one classroom with a
full-time teacher, special education assistant
and volunteers.
The Art Room at Canuck Place is full of life, colour,
arts and crafts supplies, and
beautiful artwork by kids on the
program.
The four-legged member of our care team, Poppy, is a 5 year-old
Golden Retriever; she’s trained by
Pacific Assistance Dogs Society
(PADS).
Canuck Place hosts camps for over 45
kids/teens and siblings across BC in
the fall, spring and summer.
In the Volcano Room Canuck Place kids and family members can safely release stress and pent-up emotions.
delicious cookies are baked each week in the Canuck Place kitchen to keep the cookie jar full for children and families.
THEFACTS
canuck place children’s hospice · newsletter spring 2013
9
The work that we do at Canuck Place to help
children and families in their time of great-
est need would not be possible without the
support of our volunteers. For many of them,
giving their time is a labour of love. This is
especially true for Gulzaar Valimohamed,
or as she is affectionately known at Canuck
Place, Nani.
Nani’s grandson, Karim, was diagnosed with
neuroblastoma, a cancer that typically af-
fects children younger than five. He passed
away at Canuck Place in the spring of 2011.
“Karim was a very special boy,” said Nani.
“He was two years old when he was diag-
nosed with cancer. For one-and-a-half years
he went through the treatment. He was very
brave. He was adorable; a lovely boy. He
was very intelligent. He quickly figured out how
certain medical devices operated; if you missed
a step, Karim would surely correct you!”
“He was Nani’s boy.”
At Canuck Place, Karim spent much of his
time in the kitchen, where he loved making
pizzas, baking cookies, and of course eating
his favourite snack — ginger cookies. In
honour of Karim, Nani is giving back to
Canuck Place by volunteering in the kitchen.
“Karim loved being in the kitchen,” said Nani.
“I also enjoy cooking, so I wanted to give
some of my time and knowledge back to
Canuck Place for what they did for Karim.”
“The food we prepare here gives comfort to
the families and it is so nice to watch fami-
lies sitting around the table and enjoying the
food. Every time I leave Canuck Place I feel
fulfilled that I did something Karim would
have liked.”
One of Nani’s favourite things to make is
mango ice cream. Karim loved mango ice
cream and often insisted that Nani make it
for everyone at Canuck Place. With Karim’s
memory in her heart, she makes mango ice
cream for the Canuck Place family barbeque
every summer.
“Canuck Place is a remarkable health care
facility and so much more,” she said.
“One day, a volunteer and I took Karim for
a walk in his stroller in the neighbourhood
around Canuck Place. After about ten min-
utes, the volunteer asked Karim if he was
okay. Karim said, ‘I want to go home.’ By
‘home,’ he meant Canuck Place.”
Canuck Place is truly a warm, welcoming and
supportive place for the whole family in times
of difficulty. The home-like environment and
the caring, compassionate and accommodat-
ing staff at every level make Canuck Place
truly amazing, magical; from heaven.
“We were fortunate to be here, with Karim. This
place will be a special place for us – always very
important and very close to my heart.”
Karim’s parents, Eric and Farah Webber,
established an endowment fund in honour
of their son’s memory, the Karim Cookie
Fund, which so far has raised over $30,000
through Precious Pages at
www.canuckplace.org.
Oatmeal Toffee Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 C. Butter, softened
2 C. Light brown sugar, packed
2 Eggs
2 t. Vanilla extract
1 3/4 C. All-purpose flour
1 t. Baking soda
1 t. Cinnamon, ground
1/2 t. Salt
3 C. Oats, quick-cooking
1 3/4 C. Almond toffee bits or English toffee bits
1 C. Coconut flakes, sweetened (optional)
METHOD
1. Heat oven to 375° F. Lightly
grease cookie sheet. Beat
butter, brown sugar, eggs and
vanilla until well blended. Add
flour, baking soda, cinnamon
and salt; beat until blended.
2. Stir in oats, toffee and coconut,
if desired, with spoon. Drop
dough by rounded teaspoons
about 2 inches apart onto pre-
pared sheet.
3. Bake 8 – 10 minutes or until
edges are lightly browned. Cool
1 minute; remove to wire rack.
Makes about 4 dozen.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
‘Nani’ Gives Back for Her Grandson
Canuck Place relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations and organizations to fund about 80 per cent of its operating costs. We would like to thank the following organizations that made generous donations in the November 2012 to January 2013 timeframe:
ADERA FOUNDATION SOCIETY
BC BAKERS FOUNDATION
CANUCKS FOR KIDS FUND
CIBC MIRACLE DAY
HSBC BANK CANADA
NOAH YELIZAROV HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
NEW CAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF BC
PAN PACIFIC WHISTLER VILLAGE
PWC/RICHMOND AUTO MALL GOLF TOURNAMENT
RAYMOND JAMES CANADA FOUNDATION
RBC DOMINION SECURITIES, ABBOTSFORD
QUAIL ROCK FOUNDATION
TELUS
YVR FOR KIDS
TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER
Front Row Left to Right: Canucks Alumni President Gerry Sillers, Canuck Place Board Chair John Rose, Cliff Ronning, CPCH CE0 Margaret McNeil, Bob MurrayBack Row Left to Right: Orland Kurtenbach, Dave Babych, Chris Oddleifson and Rick Amman
Keep your eye on the latest construction photos of our second hospice in the Fraser Valley that will better meet the growing need for children and families across BC. Special thanks to Ledcor, the Dave Lede Family Foundation, City of Abbotsford, BC Government and Fraser Valley Health. Go to canuckplace.org for more photos.
Canuck Place Abbotsford — Programs and Services to Meet the Growing Need
The Vancouver Canucks Alumni stopped by for a special visit early this year. Canucks Alumni President Gerry Sillers was joined by former players to visit Canuck Place children and families and to present Canuck Place with a cheque for $75,000 benefitting the new Canuck Place Children’s Hospice Abbotsford facility.
“We enjoy being a part of the Canuck Place family,” said Sillers. “It is an honour to support an organization that provides critical care to the children and families of this province, and we hope to continue our partnership with Canuck Place for years to come.”
Canuck Place teen Karsten from Vanderhoof was in the house for care and was very excited to meet the alumni and have his picture taken with the group. His parents, brother and sister, were also in the background celebrating Karsten’s opportunity.
“His family told us that this was truly a big day in their lives,” said Canuck Place CEO Margaret McNeil. “So we are grateful to the alumni for the incredible donation but also the time they shared at the hospice. It has a lasting impact on our families.”
The Canucks Alumni Foundation has raised over two million dollars in support of local charities. The Alumni have been active supporters, partners and friends of Canuck Place since the doors opened in 1995, and they continue to support the future of Canuck Place.
The Game Changers
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courage lives here …
www.canuckplace.org
CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE
1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 2T2
t: 604.731.4847 or toll free at 1.877.882.2288