[FEATURE CHARITY] Clarky’s Kids: Helps Children Fighting Cancer

By Michelle Fortin0

Many children within our region, ranging from infants to sixteen years old, along with their families deal with childhood cancer on a daily basis.

The Kitchener Rangers have teamed up with former Ranger and current New Jersey Devil, David Clarkson to run a program called Clarky’s Kids.

Clarky’s Kids provides children from Grand River Hospital’s POGO (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario) Satellite Centre the opportunity to experience the excitement of a Kitchener Rangers game and visit with players and coaches in and out of the hospital. The program also raises funds that aid in the support of local families and siblings dealing with a child that has cancer.

From 2002 to 2005, Clarkson spent countless hours supporting local community programs. His goodwill and commitment to both the team and the region have inspired numerous people of all ages. He was honoured with the Ted Scharf Award in 2002-03 and 2003-04 for being the Kitchener Rangers Humanitarian of the Year.

“It’s great to be able to come back and support a community that supported me when I played here,” says David Clarkson.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making Clarky’s Kids a huge success. The community has embraced this program whole-heartedly and together we have brought happiness to children in our region who are living with cancer.

Upcoming Events to Support Clarky’s Kids

2010 Firefighters Calendar in support of Clarky’s Kids and Children’s Wish.

The 2010 edition of the Kitchener Firefighters Calendar is available now. Proceeds from the 2010 calendar will support the Kitchener Rangers Clarky’s Kids program and our local Children’s Wish Foundation. Pick up your copy at the Kitchener Fire Department Headquarters or at The Kitchener Rangers games on October 16th, November 1st and/or 6th.

Make a Donation Today!

All monetary donations directly benefit the Pediatric Oncology Clinic at Grand River Hospital as well as the Pediatric Oncology Financial Assistance Program (POFAP). POFAP aids local families with the costs of food, accommodation and babysitting during their child’s cancer treatment.

If you wish to contribute to the cause please send a cheque to Kitchener Rangers, c/o Clarky’s Kids – Michelle Fortin, 400 East Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 1Z6.

Cheques may be made payable to Kitchener Rangers/Clarky’s Kids. Tax receipts are issued directly to you from POGO and the Grand River Hospital Foundation.

Grand River Hospital’s POGO Satellite Centre

For the past 25 years, POGO has been working on behalf of Ontario’s childhood cancer community to continually improve care for children with cancer. Thanks to POGO, children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors receive state-of-the-art care across Ontario.

The clinic located at Grand River Hospital is one of six POGO satellite oncology clinics in the Province of Ontario set up to deliver cancer care closer to home. POGO and the staff work closely with the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto and the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario in London.

The clinic is staffed by registered nurses who work closely with other departments within the K-W Health Centre to coordinate care for the children.

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To find out more about POGO visit their website at http://www.pogo.ca.

To find out more about Grand River Hospital visit their website at http://www.grandriverhospital.on.ca.

For more information on Clarky’s Kids, please contact Michelle Fortin, Manager of Community and Media Relations for the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

POGO Charitable Registration Number: 871067245RR0001
Grand River Hospital Foundation Charitable Business Number: 88918 0394 RR 0001

Thank you to TruLife for supporting this community initiative.

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