david foster foundation summer 2014 newsletter

Find out how to make miracles happen on page 4.

Summer 2014 Volume 9

CELEBRATEThe Gift of Life

WHAT’S INSIDEThe Jack Lalonde Story . . . . . . . . . . 1Message from the Chairman . . . . . 3Message from the CEO . . . . . . . . . . 3Marit Cup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4DeerFields Stables &

Country Inn Event . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Ways for You to Make

Miracles Happen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Meet Our New Board of Directors . . 8 Volunteer Profile:

Victoria Lachowski . . . . . . . . . . . 9David Foster Foundation Prepares

for Lift-off with Out of this World Auction Item . . . . . . . . . . 10

David Foster Receives Humanitarian Award from Lions Club International . . . . . . 10

2014 Moncton, NB Transplant Games . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Miracle Gala & Concert . . . . . . . . 12Thanks to Our National Sponsors 12

On October 24th, 2004, Jack Lalonde come into this world

fighting for his life. Doctors suspected something was wrong shortly after his birth, and after numerous tests it was determined that Jack’s liver was not working properly. After several invasive procedures to determine the cause of his failing liver, baby Jack was placed on the transplant list. Before he was one year old, he had endured countless painful procedures and received his first liver transplant. Initially, Jack responded very well and his parents were able to breathe their first sighs of relief since Jack’s birth nearly 8 months earlier. Unfortunately, this life-saving operation would only provide temporary relief.

A year after his transplant, Jack developed a stricture which is an abnormal narrowing of the common bile duct, the tube that moves bile

continued on page 2

The Jack Lalonde Story

Liver transplant recipient, Jack Lalonde.

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“We cannot thank the David Foster Foundation enough for what they do for families like ours.”

Jack Lalonde after surgery.

Jack Lalonde and his mother, Nicole.

from the liver to the small intestine. This resulted in Jack developing numerous septic infections. The immediate and temporary fix for this was fitting Jack with drains and bile bags which he lived with for a year as doctors tried in vain to reverse the damage to his liver. Unfortunately, nothing worked, and it became heartbreakingly obvious that Jack’s liver was failing for a second time. On the night before Jack’s 8th birthday, the Lalonde family was once again thrust into the nightmare of having a child who requires a life-saving organ transplant. They were told Jack would need another liver transplant to survive, and over the course of the next year, Jack Lalonde was hospitalized 13 times as doctors tried to control the steady decline of his liver and buy him enough time to find a suitable donor. Finally, a match was found and he was airlifted with his parents to SickKids in Toronto, where the family had to temporarily relocate. They stayed in the Ronald McDonald house and various hotels as they tried to be there for their son while simultaneously trying to assure their four year old daughter back home that they had not abandoned her.

On November 24th, 2013 Jack received the gift of life for the second time. After Jack’s liver transplant he remained in Toronto for one month for recovery during which his parents shuttled back and forth between his bedside and their hometown where relatives cared for his sister. Thankfully, Jack’s recovery went amazingly well and he was able to return home with his family after a month and be reunited with his little sister. Today he is a healthy young man for the first time in his life.

“We cannot thank the David Foster Foundation enough for what they do for families like ours. When you are in a dark place, the foundation sheds light and takes some stress away when you feel like you are drowning in the stress and financial strain of having a child go through a major organ transplant. The foundation was pivotal in our ability to concentrate on the health of our son Jack and relieve the worry about finances. Jack is now a healthy and thriving 10 year old boy and we pray he continues on this path of health!”

– Nicole Lalonde

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2 www.davidfosterfoundation.comSummer 2014

“The foundation was pivotal in our ability to concentrate on the health of our son, Jack, and relieve the worry about finances.”

This summer has been a busy one, and as the

David Foster Foundation looks towards September and our 27th annual Miracle Gala & Concert in Calgary, it will only get busier! The Foundation has

never been stronger and I am so proud and thankful for all the hard work from our board, staff and volunteers which has made this possible. We are so lucky to have two new board members joining us this year, Walter Schneider and Gail Stephens, who will complement the current board and join us in our endeavor to help as many families as possible.

As we quickly approach our 30th anniversary, our goal of raising 30 million dollars is closer to becoming a reality and this realization will ensure the security of the Foundation and the work we do for many years to come. Our work is so important, and community support is what drives it. Parents faced with the incredible hardship of a child requiring major organ transplant should not

Message from the Chairmanhave to choose between heating their house or paying for groceries, and with so many generous donations to the Foundation, we are able to provide financial support to these families so they don’t have to choose between financial devastation and caring for their sick child. When I started this foundation I had no idea it would grow to impact the number of families it has. We are quickly approaching our 1,000th family helped, and I could not be more grateful for all the support we have received which has made this possible.

As we gear up to our Miracle Gala & Concert in Calgary on September 27, 2014, we hope that you will join us in helping as many families as possible bring home their children from organ transplant surgery safe, happy and healthy.

Sincerely,

David Foster, Founder and Chairman

T his past year was an extraordinary one for the

David Foster Foundation. Not only did we host a fabulous event celebrating our 26th anniversary, but we have helped more families than

ever before. We are quickly approaching 1,000 families helped which is remarkable considering where this whole dream started: in a hospital room in Los Angeles, with a little girl’s wish to simply see her sister. Since its inception in 1986, back when David first received a call from his mother with a request to visit a sick child in USCLA Medical Centre, no one could have conceived that the foundation would grow to this size. Every year we increase the number of families we help while they go through one of the most difficult times of their lives. As we near the 1,000 family mark, we could not be more thankful for all of the support which has made this possible.

Our Miracle Gala & Concert in Calgary this September 27th will take us one step closer to reaching our 30x30 goal: raising 30 million dollars by our completed 30th year anniversary in 2017.

Looking to the future, I am firmly fixated on our goal and am so excited to see the lives it will change; the lives it will save. I would like to personally extend my heartfelt gratitude to every volunteer, supporter and contributor who has brought the David Foster Foundation this far, and I am truly honoured to lead the foundation through the next five years as we set our sights firmly on creating more tomorrows for the families we support.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Mike Ravenhill, Chief Executive Officer

Message from the CEO

David Foster Foundation Newsletter 3

On March 19, 2014 the David Foster Foundation was invited to attend the 2nd annual Marit Cup

hosted by Calgary Christian School to honour of former student, Marit McKenzie, who passed away suddenly due to a pulmonary embolism in January of 2013. In life, Marit was a beautiful and artistic young woman who honoured her best friend, Paige Thakkar, a liver transplant recipient, by raising money for the David Foster Foundation in her grade 12 year. Little did anyone know, a few short months later at the young age of 18, Marit would give the ultimate gift and become an organ donor herself. Her heart, liver, pancreas and both kidneys were transplanted in four separate surgeries. Additionally, two people were given the gift of sight following a pair of successful cornea transplants.

The Marit Cup is an annual hockey game of teachers versus students at Calgary Christian School to raise awareness about organ donation and to raise funds to honour Marit’s legacy. The event was attended by over 600 people including some of the Calgary Stampeders. Each year the funds raised are split between the Marit McKenzie Fine Arts Scholarship Fund and the David Foster Foundation to continue to help support families struggling with the added expense of their children needing a major organ transplant.

Marit’s story has touched so many people across Canada that over $45,000 has been donated to the David Foster Foundation in her memory, and more importantly has helped to raise the importance of being an organ donor. To read more on Marit’s story please visit the David Foster Foundation website: http://davidfosterfoundation.com/blog/2014/03/18/marit-mckenzie/

– In honour of those who gave the ultimate gift

“Marit’s story has touched so many people across Canada that over $45,000 has been donated to the David Foster Foundation in her memory, and more importantly has helped to raise the importance of being an organ donor.”

Marit Cup

Liver transplant recipient, Darren Loutit, with follow supporters.

Bruce and Susan McKenzie, parents of Marit McKenzie – organ donor.

David Foster Foundation CEO, Mike Ravenhill, and Darren Loutit.

4 Summer 2014 www.davidfosterfoundation.com

“The emotion to proudly support more tomorrows for children across Canada was overwhelming. There was no social pressure, because of the dedicated work of David Foster; the giving of his time and talent awards every giver to his foundation. The David Foster Foundation support team, are all professional and compassionate to the cause, creating a convenient experience to give to such a worthy charity.” – Jim Wilson

David Foster and ETalk host, Ben Mulroney.

This past July, DeerFields Stables & Country Inn hosted an intimate afternoon luncheon with David

Foster with 200 guests on their stunning grounds in Palgrave, Ontario. The luncheon was catered by celebrity chef, Mark McEwan, and guests were treated to David speaking candidly on stage while sitting at his piano with ETalk’s host, Ben Mulroney. David was presented with a cheque in the amount of $250,000 for the David Foster Foundation from owners and hosts, Jim Wilson and Vivian Roy, to continue to help families of children going through major organ transplants.

The David Foster Foundation is proud to announce the new National Partnership with DeerFields Clinic!

DeerFields Stables & Country Inn Event

The delighted audience at DeerFields Stables & Country Inn.

Jim Wilson & Vivian Roy, along with Ben Mulroney, present David Foster with a cheque. David Foster and Kelly Levesque.

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By becoming a registered organ donor you may one day save a life. There is a chronic shortage

of most organs needed for transplant in Canada – currently, more than 4,000 Canadians are waiting for organ transplants, and too many of them are children.

As a result of a special partnership with Waddington’s, Canada’s premier auction

house since 1850, you can donate art and valuables with the corresponding funds generated from the sales as a tax receipt donation from the David Foster Foundation.

The donation of air miles is a unique way to provide a direct and immediate benefit to

the David Foster Foundation. Points are used for travel and accommodation for the family and the child going through this life-saving organ transplant process.

7 Ways for You to Make Miracles Happen

IMAGINE A DOCTOR TELLING YOu THAT YOuR BABY WAS IN THE eND-STAge OF LIVer FAILure AND WOuLD NEED A LIVER TRANSpLANT TO SuRVIVE…

BEING AN ORGAN DONOR

THE GIFT OF ARTS & VALuABLES

THE DONATION OF AIR MILES

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The David Foster Foundation works with national partners to help raise both funds

and awareness of the Foundation’s goals to help support non-medical expenses of families with children undergoing life-saving organ transplants. National sponsors are recognized on the Foundation’s website, all collateral material, and throughout their annual fundraising gala.

It is the David Foster Foundation’s goal to raise $30 million by our completed 30th anniversary

in 2017. The purpose of our Endowment Fund is to support all Canadian families who have a child going through the life-saving organ transplant process for years to come.

The David Foster Foundation has assisted close to 1,000 families with children in need of

life-saving organ transplants. All funds received through the program are directed to a specific and restricted fund account. As a result, 100% of the money donated to this program directly funds the family.

Aplanned gift is typically a charitable donation which can be arranged as part of your overall

financial and estate planning during your life time, but is not available to the David Foster Foundation until sometime in the future.

ENDOWMENT

pLANNED GIVING

SpONSOR A FAMILY

NATIONAL CORpORATE SpONSORSHIp

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7David Foster Foundation Newsletter

In 1980, Walter Schneider, alongside his partner Frank

Polzler, Chairman and Co-Founder, Schneider acquired the Eastern Canadian rights to RE/MAX, establishing both the brand and their head office in Mississauga, where it currently resides. In the following years he and his partner continued to acquire the rights to multiple regions throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Today Walter and Frank own and operate the RE/MAX brand in 36 countries worldwide, with approximately 2,450 operating offices and an agent count of more than 29,000; which equates to nearly 1/3 of the entire RE/MAX network selling a property every 75 seconds. He is also Co-Founder of Ipromoteu, a Boston based promotional products company, that booked sales in excess of $100M in 2013.

Over his 34 years with the company, Walter has received nearly every RE/MAX award offered. In addition he has been named CEO of the year by the Financial Post, received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Award for his work with the Canadian Forces, and most recently the T. Wilson Award from his alma mater, University of Toronto, which

recognizes outstanding achievement by alumni in business and charitable work. Schneider also plays a very active role in the community, sitting on three diverse boards, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Team Up Foundation, Canada’s Walk of Fame Foundation and most recently The David Foster Foundation. Walter is very active in numerous sports but his favourite past time is playing hockey in a recreational beer league.

Walter was born and raised in Toronto, the product of Austrian immigrants who came to Canada after WWII. He and his wife, Maria, have been married 27 years and they reside in Toronto. They have three children, Shelby, Conrad and Simon. Their eldest, Shelby, is also a RE/MAX’er as she serves as the Director of Public Relations and Communication for the INTEGRA Group. Although he has travelled the world, Schneider says his favourite place is the family cottage in Muskoka, Ontario.

Gail Stephens accepted the role of Chief Operating Officer of

the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in August 2013. As COO she oversees the finance/IT, communication/stakeholder relations, human resource, facilities and visitor services operations of this Canadian National Museum. Opening its doors for the first time to the public in September 2014, the Museum aspires to offer visitors inspiring encounters with human rights.

Prior to accepting the COO role, Ms. Stephens was City Manager for the City of Victoria since July 2009. As City Manager she was responsible for all city operations including fire, engineering, parks, planning, corporate services, and sustainability. She was previously the Vice-President of Finance and Services at the University of Calgary overseeing the finance, human resource, information technology and health, safety and security of university operations.

Prior to this, she was Chief Executive Officer for the BC Pension Corporation, one of Canada’s largest pension administrators. In 2004, the Pension Corporation won the Premier’s Award for Excellence recognizing the demonstrable shift to a client focused culture.

“For as long as I can remember, I have supported the concept of organ transplant. Lives can be saved from tragic events and the David Foster Foundation has been a trailblazer for more than two decades in this space. It is a privilege and honour to be serving alongside many others who also share this passion.”

– Walter Schneider

Gail Stephens Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Museum of Human Rights (CMHR)

Meet Our New Board of Directors

Walter Schneider President and Co-Founder, RE/MAX INTEGRA Group of Companies


I volunteer at the David Foster Foundation for a number of reasons, but what I think makes me stand out, is my personal connection

to both singing and organ transplant. I can still remember the day I realized that I was born to sing, and on that day, I vowed nothing would stand in my way of singing to the world.

My dreams have been very difficult to realize as I struggle with Cystic Fibrosis. This progressive disease which I was diagnosed with at two months of age affects the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestines. Thick secretions within the lungs clog the airways, leading to difficulties with breathing, infections and irreversible scarring of lung tissue. As of today there is no cure. The symptoms of the disease are treated with a potent concoction of pills and inhalers including antibiotics, steroids and bronco dilators on a daily basis. Currently all my hope lies with a future double lung transplant – the gift of life!

Which brings me to the David Foster Foundation. The Foundation provides incredible financial support for families with children undergoing major organ transplant, like I will one day need, and the main fundraising event of the year is a celebration of musical talent! The fit was clearly perfect, and with every family we help, I find personal satisfaction knowing that I have helped a family achieve their dreams of having their child come home from the hospital, and I know that my dreams are one song closer to becoming a reality.

Volunteer Profile: Victoria Lachowski

Prior to accepting the position of CEO in 2003, Ms. Stephens was the first Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Winnipeg (1998-2003), replacing a Board of Commissioners. As CAO she helped lead a diverse team of departments including police, fire/paramedics, transit, community services, water and waste, and public works to become one of the most cost effective city governments in Canada with a citizen satisfaction rating of over 92%. She was the City Auditor for Winnipeg before becoming CAO and has worked in both the private and public sector as Chief Financial Officer.

Ms. Stephens received the Manitoba Gold Medal for the highest level of excellence in the CGA Program and graduated on the Dean’s Honour List from the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba. She was named as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in 2003, 2010 and 2011 and won the 2006 Peak Performance and Excellence Award. She was named one of Canada’s top 100 CGAs.


“Being a mother and a grandmother, I can truly appreciate how vital this financial and emotional support is at what must be one of life’s most difficult challenges. I so appreciate and look forward to working with all of the talented, dedicated and passionate Board members and staff of the David Foster Foundation.” – Gail Stephens

David is presented with the 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award.

On Tuesday July 8, 2014, Lions Club International presented our Chairman, David Foster, with the

2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The award honoured David’s commitment to a wide range of humanitarian causes over the past 27 years both through his foundation and through his support of over 400 other charities. With this award, Lions Club International presented David and the David Foster Foundation with a $250,000 cheque which will go a long way towards helping the David Foster Foundation families. The momentous evening was capped off when long-time friend and supporter, Olivia Newton-John, joined David on stage to sing a spectacular duet in front of the Lions Club International Convention attendees.

David Foster Receives Humanitarian Award from Lions Club International

David Foster Foundation Prepares for Lift-off with Out of this World Auction Item

XCOR® Lynx® is a rocket-powered spacecraft built by XCOR® Aerospace® that takes off and lands much

like a jet. The one of the kind XCOR® Lynx® space flight package includes a space suit fitting, medical screening and pre-flight training at XCOR headquarters in Mojave, California, followed by a space flight experience onboard the XCOR® Lynx® next to XCOR Chief Test Pilot and NASA Space Shuttle Commander Rick Searfoss.

“When we approached XCOR, it was immediately clear that both we at the foundation and XCOR executive

were inspired by the change to combine the majesty of space travel with our gala’s mission, to raise $30M to support families through the Foundation.” – David Foster Foundation’s CEO, Mike Ravenhill.

“What excites us is that we have the opportunity to support David and the Foundation, which have helped so many families across Canada,” says XCOR Retail Sales Director, Greg Claxton. “Some say being able to fly to space is a miracle. It’s only fitting that XCOR be part of this Miracle Gala.”

The rocket-powered spacecraft, XCOR® Lynx®. NASA Space Shuttle Commander, Rick Searfoss.David at VCOR® Aerospace® in Mojave, California.


2014 Moncton, NB Transplant Games

The 7th bi-annual Canadian Transplant Games were held in Moncton, New Brunswick this year from

July 7th - 12th, 2014. The Canadian Transplant Games welcomes transplant recipients, families, friends, and donors from all across Canada who have come together to participate in this memorable five day event. Transplant athletes range from the ages of 5 to 85 and have the option of various different sports. The purpose of the Canadian Transplant Games is to increase the awareness of organ donation in Canada, promote the success of organ donation, and to demonstrate a healthy and active lifestyle amongst those who have received a transplant.

Two of our David Foster Foundation families attended the Transplant Games this year. Phoenix Borrowman, a heart transplant recipient, participated in multiple events and received a gold medal in swimming! Logan Hampson, a liver transplant recipient, came home with multiple medals, including a gold medal in washer toss! Lynn Hampson expressed how their first Transplant Games was a truly amazing experience. Congratulations Phoenix and Logan!

The next Canadian Transplant Games will be held in Toronto, Ontario in 2016!

“It’s the week we never knew we needed.”– Lynn Hampson

Heart transplant recipient, Phoenix Borrowman, showing off her medal.

The Ontario Lacrosse team with Logan Hampson standing left beside the trophy.

Liver transplant recipient, Logan Hampson, and his medals.Logan Hampson and his mother, Lynn, father, Jason, and little sister, Alyson.


Saturday, September 27th, 2014 WestJet Campus, Calgary, Alberta

TickeTs on sale now! For more information, please visit davidfostermiracleconcert.com

DAVID FOSTER AND FRIENDS

RED CARPETSPONSORS

OFFICIAL WINESPONSOR

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

OFFICIAL HOTELSPONSOR

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY


RED CARPETSPONSORS


IN PARTNERSHIP WITH




RED CARPETSPONSORS


IN PARTNERSHIP WITH




RED CARPETSPONSORS


IN PARTNERSHIP WITH



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

Thanks to Our National Sponsors!


david foster foundation summer 2014 newsletter

Documents

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fitting jack

baby jack

lalonde family

failing liver

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transplant list

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