2006/07 ann ual report - Kids Cancer Care

volunteers
“I saw first-hand what these families and kids go
through and I’ve seen first-hand what KCCFA can
do for these families. ”
to know you’re there
Above left: Volunteers like Alida De Vries help make
camp a special place for hundreds of kids like Cassandra
each year. Cassandra shows her appreciation
with a big bear hug.
Above right: David Waugh, a KCCFA one-to-one aide,
spends quality time with Michael at Camp SunMaker.
Opposite right: Darren and Maria Deitz with their boys
Nick (left) and Noan (right). When cancer hit close to
home, Darren increased his volunteer commitment by
heading up the silent auction at the Don, Joanne &
the Coach golf tournament.
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Inspired to act
Darren Deitz loves golf. He is
passionate about the sport but it’s
with his hand wrapped around a
telephone—not a golf club—that
his passion plays out.
Part owner of Deitz Financial,
Darren heads up the silent auction
for the Don, Joanne & the Coach
Golf a Kid to Camp tournament.
The initiative has steadily gained
momentum every year since he
took the reins.
Seeing cancer up close is what
inspired Darren to volunteer for
KCCFA. While completing his
education, he worked part-time at
Calaway Park, where after-hours
provision was made for children
with compromised immune
systems due to cancer treatments.
“I’ll never forget those kids on the
rides,” says Darren. “It was amazing
seeing kids who wouldn’t normally
be allowed at an amusement park
having so much fun.”
In 2000, Darren started working
as a shave volunteer. When cancer
struck close to home, his resolve
to help grew even stronger and he
took on the silent auction for the
golf tournament. His cousins Ryan
and Lisa were diagnosed within two
years of each other. Ryan lived only
one week after diagnosis but Lisa,
now 13, is in remission today. Last
year, three-year-old Quinn, the son
of his friend Allan Laudersmith, was
also diagnosed with cancer.
“I saw first-hand what these
families and kids go through,” says
Darren, himself the father of two
boys. “And I’ve seen first-hand what
KCCFA can do for these families.
I’m not out at camp helping but
making this tournament happen is
the next best thing.”