Lives you changed in 2018/2019

2018/2019 Financial highlights

Camp and Outreach programs give children and families affected by cancer a chance to build relationships with other kids and families who understand. From home-cooked meals for newly diagnosed families to year-round camp experiences for tots, tweens, teens and families to a world-class therapeutic exercise program and the Teen Leadership Program, our programs support the entire family from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Research and Hospital Programs ensure that children have access to leading-edge treatments, clinical trials and specialized care right here in Alberta. Kids Cancer Care-funded researchers collaborate nationally and internationally to advance research and care through basic laboratory research; experimental and applied therapeutics research; and studies into the social and emotional impact of childhood cancer. Our international residency program enables physicians from developing nations to train in and lead oncology clinics at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, providing them with the necessary expertise to establish children’s cancer programs in their home countries. Hospital programs include initiatives such as Look Good Feel Better, Beads of Courage and family education and bereavement programs.

Education Support and Scholarships provide cancer patients and survivors with academic and financial support to improve their education and career outcomes. While cancer treatments can impose significant learning challenges on children, our tutors provide them with the one-to-one support they need to thrive during their primary and secondary school years. Our scholarship program awards a one-time scholarship to cancer patients and survivors pursuing post-secondary education.

Volunteers are at the heart of Kids Cancer Care. From providing home-cooked meals to newly diagnosed families, one-to-one support to kids at camp and providing support at our fundraising events, volunteers are vital to everything we do.

Public awareness and education help the community to understand the impact of childhood cancer on children and their families through an array of initiatives such as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, annual reports, newsletters, social media, websites and videos.

Acquisition of property and equipment enhances facilities and accessibility at Camp Kindle and ensures computer systems are up to date. In 2019, we moved to a larger office, enabling us to offer programs to families in our office rather than renting facilities.

Annual fund and major gifts represent contributions from individuals, families, companies, non-profit organizations and an annual grant from the Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship fund at The Calgary Foundation.

Foundation fundraising events play a vital role in raising funds, stewarding donors and sponsors, spreading awareness and engaging the community to support our mission. Kids Cancer Care hosts four signature events annually: Parents’ Quest for the Cure, Dad and Daughter Gala, High Hopes Challenge and the new Kindle Pursuit event at Camp Kindle.

Community fundraising events are hosted by individuals, companies, non-profit organizations and other community groups. Major annual initiatives include Tour for Kids Alberta, Kinsmen Ride for a Lifetime, Cross Check Cancer and Shave Your Lid for a Kid®.

Camp Kindle rentals provide an additional revenue source for Kids Cancer Care. The foundation rents Camp Kindle to community groups, companies, schools and other non-profit organizations when not using it for our mission-based camps and events.

Other represents monies earned through interest on investments and government grants.

Investment in programs and services

398 home-cooked meals nourishing 83 kids and parents through our Cooking and Caring program

809 pizzas bringing families together for healing and support during weekly Pizza Nights at the Alberta Children’s Hospital

2 delicious turkey dinners with all the trimmings bringing 43 people together for Christmas dinner at the hospital

54 kids rebuilding their body, mind and spirits through our newly expanded PEER exercise programs

760 happy campers experiencing the magic of camp

752 hours of planning and tutoring support benefiting 30 kids facing cancer-related learning issues

$31K in scholarships helping 9 survivors to pursue their dreams through post-secondary education

293 passengers enjoying a magical ride to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express, courtesy of Aspen Crossing

698 hours of relaxation and renewal for parents in our Parent Program

In 2018/19, YOU made our free programs possible by volunteering 26,356 hours and saving the foundation $700K+ or the equivalent of 13 full-time positions.

For every $1 invested in fundraising, YOU gave back $3+ in financial support for our programs and services.

Kids Cancer Care invested $2.2 million in essential programs and services to support children and families at every stage in the cancer journey including year-round programs in Camp and Outreach; Education Support and Scholarships; and volunteer and public awareness.

Kids Cancer Care funded $1.3 million in research to find cures, improve treatments and give survivors the best possible future. The foundation funded a full-scale lab renovation at the University of Calgary to support multidisciplinary research into pediatric cancer.

Thanks to our generous community, we raised $5.6 million through annual campaigns, signature events, community initiatives, Camp Kindle rentals and deferred contributions to support our programs and operations.

Fundraising costs of $1.5 million reflect compensation, event costs, technology systems and campaign expenses. Administrative costs of $800,000 include office lease, computers, insurance and general foundation expenses.

As challenges continue to impact the local economy, we are heartened by the generous support of our community and inspired by the courage of our families. With a long-standing history in Alberta, a committed donor base and a passionate staff and volunteer team, we are committed to sustainable programs, offering hope and support to children and families as they journey through childhood cancer.

To reduce our environmental footprint, we have included only financial highlights and a glimpse of the new programs you made possible. To view full audited financial statements and the full impact of your generosity, please visit us online at www.kidscancercare.ab.ca/about-us/publications.

42% Camp & Outreach

37% Research & Hospital Programs

3% Education Support & Scholarship

4% Volunteers

7% Public Awareness and Education

7% Acquisition of Property & Equipment

28% Annual Fund & Major Gifts

19% Foundation Fundraising Events

28% Community Fundraising Events

2% Other

12% Camp Kindle Rentals

11% Deferred Contributions

Source of funds

5757 4 St SE Calgary, AB T2H 1K8

staff@kidscancercare.ab.ca kidscancercare.ab.ca

Tel 403 216 9210 Fax 403 216 9215

Toll-Free 888 554 2267

Registered charity # 899409171RR0001

Thank you to nonfiction studios and MET printing for producing this report at no cost to Kids Cancer Care.

Thank you for helping Arya manage the side effects of radiation through exercise

“Arya is keen to exercise. She’s regained most of her gross motor skills, balance and coordination. She’s almost back in the normal range.” – Arya’s mom Petra

Although she’s only five, Arya has undergone a spinal operation, two brain surgeries and three rounds of radiation. The treatments have caused hearing loss, fatigue and gross motor delays, but Arya is still going strong. She’s rebuilding her strength at PEER, an exercise program we expanded in 2018 to include one-to-one and home-based exercise.

Regular exercise in children with cancer can be both preventative and therapeutic. In Arya’s case, it is helping to rebuild gross motor skills, reduce the chances of bone degeneration and restore brain neuroplasticity to prevent cognitive delays. With one-to-one sessions in exercise, yoga, sports and gymnastics, Arya is doing everything she can to stay strong and healthy — even while on radiation.

Thank you for helping kids beat the side effects of cancer treatment with regular exercise. Special thanks to the Calgary Flames Foundation for supporting the growth of our PEER program.

u Read the full story online

Your support is helping to create cancer vaccines for kids

The idea of a cancer vaccine may seem like the stuff of sci-fi and fantasy, but it’s actually not that new and it may not be that far off.

While there are numerous cancer vaccines in clinical trials, there is very little research and very few clinical trials for children. As the newly appointed Kids Cancer Care Chair in Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Calgary and Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Dr. Aru Narendran means to change this.

Part of a relatively new field known as immunotherapy, Dr. Narendran’s research is trying to harness the child’s immune system to fight cancer. “We think that the attentiveness of the immune system, which normally recognizes and eliminates abnormal cells very early, may be key,” he says. “Immune surveillance likely plays a key role in preventing cancer from returning too, so our goal with the vaccine is to boost the child’s immune system, so it remembers to do its job.”

Thank you for giving kids a fighting chance through new research.

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Thank you for raising much-needed awareness and funds for children with cancer

Imagine a warm autumn day in the Foothills and teams of people in outlandish costumes racing against time. Pink tutus and feathery boas – that’s the Bye Felicia team. Or the Bedrock Rockers, a.k.a. the Flintstones, driving their stone-age car. This is Kindle Pursuit and anything goes.

The first annual Kindle Pursuit brought together hundreds of competitors, sponsors, donors and spectators in the fight against childhood cancer. Presented by Trico Homes and CJAY 92, the Amazing Race-style event challenged 22 teams of four to raise a minimum of $1,000 before taking on a series of obstacles at Camp Kindle. Think giant slingshots, archery, fire making, wall climbing, water bucket challenges and rubber ducky rescue missions.

“This isn’t your typical gala event,” says Ryan Murray of Trico Homes, whose team won top fundraising prize. “It fits Kids Cancer Care well and creates exceptional engagement. To raise $90,000, in its inception, is a phenomenal result. I look forward to Kindle Pursuit growing into something as impactful as the larger fundraisers.”

Thank you! Your support makes life-changing programs possible.

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You helped create a more compassionate classroom for Evan

“When you have a room full of kids who have no idea about cancer, this is invaluable. It gives the students an idea of where Evan’s been. What he’s been up to and why there’s an empty desk in class.” – Evan’s dad Tom

Everything changed the night Evan was diagnosed with a rare leukemia. Instead of mountain biking and playing sports, the once active 10-year-old boy was fighting for his life. After missing 15 months of school, Evan was returning as a sixth grader now and he was nervous.

Thanks to you, Cancer in the Classroom made returning to school a whole lot easier. An interactive presentation that explores childhood cancer in simple terms, Cancer in the Classroom helps dispel the myths and fears of cancer, while fostering greater empathy and understanding among classmates.

Thank you for creating compassionate classrooms for kids with cancer. Special thanks to the Canada Post Community Fund for supporting this new initiative.

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PEER at HomeCancer in the Classroom New Research Chair Kindle Pursuit

New programs you made possible

2018/2019 Annual Report

change everything