Won't you please follow the link (shown below underneath the Chris Knox Foundation logo) and vote, and then share it with your friends? We have a lot of catching up to do, the top charity right now has over 2,600 votes, and the Chris Knox Foundation only has 1 vote. Mine. Yikes! Please help me help a great cause!!
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN VOTE ONCE PER DAY FOR EVERY EMAIL ADDRESS! Please vote every day, if at all possible!
Here's what I wrote in my nomination:
In 2007, Sharla and Kim's son Chris Knox was undergoing cancer treatment. He desperately wanted to see the sold out Labour Day Classic. With the help of the cancer clinic and a local radio station, Chris' wish was fulfilled. Linebacker Mike McCullough even brought him down to the locker room, where Coach Austin presented him the game ball – a memory Chris and his family would always treasure. After the Western Final, a fan spontaneously began a campaign on the call-in show to send Chris to the Grey Cup in Toronto, the Riders' first in 10 years. Rider fans stepped up to support Chris’ Grey Cup dream. Chris, slightly uncomfortable at being singled out for this honour, felt strongly that more young patients also deserved a chance to go. Rider fans ended up sending 10 other children and 20 family members to the Grey Cup in Toronto, where the Riders pulled off a thrilling victory. Sadly, less than two weeks later, with his parents and girlfriend at his side, Chris passed away. Chris had a dream that other young people like him would have the opportunity to create similar happy memories. Sharla and Kim, whose only other child, Dustin, had died in a car accident in 2001, could have been forgiven for not having the heart to carry out Chris’ request. Instead, they banded together with a wonderful group of volunteer board members and formed the Chris Knox Foundation – a Foundation that has gone on to do amazing work in the Saskatchewan community.
When a child or young person is in cancer treatment, 'normal' becomes a foreign concept. School and work activities are replaced by treatment, hospital stays and scans. The family's income is typically significantly reduced in order for one or more parent to be available as advocate and caregiver for their child. Siblings often feel neglected and family time is almost non-existent. As a result of the financial and emotional pressures on the family, outings to concerts, games and shows become a distant memory. Having the opportunity to plan fun activities helps young cancer patients have something to look forward to, whatever their stage of treatment. For families whose loved one is lost to the disease, these outings create precious memories of a special time when they could set their cares and worries aside, despite being in the midst of treatment and illness. The Foundation continues to support these young people beyond their initial diagnosis, including if necessary, those patients placed in Palliative Care. Their nomination comes from a family who personally came to know Kim and Sharla through the work of the Chris Knox Foundation, as a result of their son’s cancer diagnosis. Kim and Sharla, together with the Chris Knox Foundation and its supporters, have helped so many cancer patients and their families overcome the challenge of having little to look forward to and enjoy in the midst of serious illness.
Through the work of the Foundation, hundreds and hundreds of ticket requests have been granted to young cancer patients and their families. In addition to the direct benefit to these patients and families, the Foundation, through these ticket purchases, has directly supported art, culture and sport. Ticket requests have been granted for all kinds of events - cultural events like ballet, concerts and musicals, and sporting events like the World Curling finals, the World Junior Hockey championships as well as (naturally) Saskatchewan Roughrider home games. In addition, a different group of young people has attended the Grey Cup each year since 2007, all decked out in Green and White. Each of them, together with an accompanying family member, have enjoyed the trip of a lifetime, showing their Rider Pride across Canada - whether or not the Riders were in the big game! Sharla and Kim, together with the Foundation’s Board and supporters, have created a lasting legacy in memory of their son Chris. They have created something amazing, a real game changer for young cancer patients and their families.
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Please follow this link and vote! While you are on the site, you can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the 100th Grey Cup game for yourself as well.
Thanks so much,
Tom's Mom
