Our Team

I fill my days with policy, process and financial oversight while being the cheerleader of our staff, volunteers and donors and encouraging them to dream big! I dream of a day where childhood cancer is a memory.

I embrace change, love the busy, dynamic pace of our office and lead the best team of staff any CEO would be proud of. I work for the Board, the kids and everyone who volunteers, donates or sponsors Kids Cancer Care. YOU are the reason I get up in the morning. I am rewarded every day in smiles, stories and the joy that fulfilling our mission brings.

Fun Facts

1. What’s your camp name? Crazy Bear.
2. What’s your favorite ice cream topping? Gummy Bears.
3. Best read?The Lovely Bones or whatever is on my bedside table.

 

I am so excited to work in the Kids Cancer Care office after working at Camp Kindle since 2016. I love working with the outreach team while getting to know our amazing families! I feel so privileged to work with our strong, wonderful, and courageous families.

You might also know me as Flik from my 4 years of working at Camp Kindle, but I am also Meeko and Phoebe’s mom, two of the camp dogs! 

Fun Facts

1. What is your favourite meal?Hot dogs with all the toppings!
2. What’s your favorite movie?Mulan
3. Where is your favourite travel destination?New Zealand.

 

When I arrived at Camp Kindle for my first interview, I felt the positive vibe and energy of this beautiful place! It is such a peaceful environment right in the middle of Mother Nature. Being able to help children and families to enjoy a positive experience, seeing the smiles and hearing the giggles of the kids enjoying themselves makes my heart smile!

I’m a volunteer with the local fire department, Cremona & District Emergency Services. As the fire prevention officer, I visit the school regularly to teach fire safety. I have always enjoyed this and the feeling I get when they understand and remember the things I teach. I believe my experiences at Camp Kindle will be equal to this.

Fun Facts

1. What’s your favourite read?Stephen King Novels
2. Where is your favourite movie? The Sound Of Music
3. What’s your favourite meal? Pasta...any kind of pasta.

 

Fun Facts

 

1. Camp name Chinook.
2. Favourite movie?Spirited Away
3. Favourite meal?Sushi and bubble tea.

Our only child Alexander was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in 2009. After ten months of treatment, he passed away. He was two.

Alexander was the 36th child in the world to be diagnosed with ETMR (embryonal tumour with multilayered rosettes). We donated his brain and tumour to what is now the Kids Cancer Care Biostorage at the University of Calgary. Overseen by Dr. Jennifer Chan, the Kids Cancer Care Chair in Pediatric Oncology Research, this facility provides researchers across the globe with live blood, tissue and cancer cell samples.Thanks to Alexander's gift, U of C researchers were able to create the world's first cell line for ETMR, enabling researchers around the world to study this rare cancer for the first time. 

I believe Alexander was brought here to help other children through his cell line and to give me my life purpose. For 26 years I worked as an aircraft maintenance engineer, but now my purpose is to help kids with cancer.

Fun Facts 

1. Why is your hair blue? Blue was Alexander’s favourite colour. My hair has been blue since 2010.
2. What is your camp name? Blue.
3. What is your favourite travel destination?The Westside of Oahu (Waianae Coast). This is where Alexander had his wish trip and where put his ashes.

 

 

Our program provides kids the opportunity to exercise while having fun in a safe environment.

The best part of my work is the fact that we give the kids the capacity to be kids again. Every smile, every motor, fitness or social improvement that I observe in the kids are invaluable treasures that I preserve.

In Spain, back in 2004, I started to research the effects of exercise in children with cancer. We did a 16 week exercise program with kids on treatment. At the end of the program, the kids were interviewed. A journalist asked a seven-year-old boy what he enjoyed most about the exercise program. He replied “Now I can play with my sister without getting tired.” In that moment, I was the happiest person in the world. Exercise is a great way to counteract the side effects of treatment, improve quality of life and facilitate the reintegration of kids affected by cancer in the community. My dream is to see exercise become part of the standard care in every child with cancer.

I love working for Kids Cancer Care because everyone shares a passion for advocating for improving the quality of life of children affected by cancer and their families. It is an inspiring team to be a part of.

Fun Facts 

1. Where is your hometown? Montevideo, Uruguay.
2. What’s your favorite ice cream topping?Dulce de Leche with chocolate chips and lemon.
3. What is your favourite meal? Empanadas.

My involvement with the Education Support Programs at Kids Cancer Care allows me to utilize the skills and experience I have gained working in the areas of special education, family support, program development, and volunteer leadership to assist children with cancer-related learning issues and encourage families. However, I'm sure I'll be the one who will end up learning the most from my interactions with families, children, volunteers, and teammates.

I believe learning is most successful when it is rooted in human connection, relationships, and fun.
Looking forward to learning together with you, as part of the Kids Cancer Care community!

Fun Facts

1. Camp Name - Harmony
2. Favourite Movie - A Beautiful Mind
3. Hometown - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

I spend a good part of my days writing — newsletters, annual reports, brochures, media releases, advertising copy, fundraising appeals, speaking notes, web content. The other part of my days, I spend planning and strategizing, scheduling and executing mar-comm plans. I feel fortunate because I can’t think of a worthier cause to work for. The cancer journeys these kids experience are both horrific and heroic. And, what our champions (donors, sponsors, partners, shave hosts, event participants and volunteers) do to transform these young lives both humbles and inspires me. Kids Cancer Care is a life-affirming place to work for and it daily rekindles my faith in humanity. Sharing stories of our vulnerability, our courage, our love and our hope—our wonderful and flawed humanity—is what living is all about.

Fun Facts 

1. What’s something quirky about yourself?I can distort my tongue and vocal cords to mimic the hum of a dove or the chirp of a cricket with a hangover.
2. Best read?There are so many! But I would have to say that my all-time favourite read has to be Dostoevsky’s Brothers Karamazov.
3. What’s your camp name? Lotus.

In my 25+ years as a registered social worker, I am constantly amazed at the resilience and strength shown by the children that I have worked with. I am honored to be a part of the team at Kids Cancer Care and passionate about supporting families. I hope to speak with you soon!

Fun Facts

1. Where's your hometown?Virden, Manitoba
2. What’s your favorite ice cream flavour?Almond Espresso
3. Something quirky about you?I'm fascinated by the weather and always know the forecast!

 

Working in city has me supporting the amazing teens in our Teen Leadership Program and youngsters and families in our kid programs such as Halloween Howler, A Christmas Carol. I also provide programming support to the revenue development team at some of our fundraising events such as the High Hopes Challenge. The connection and growth I get from working with these kids and families always fill up my cup.

Fun Facts

1. What’s your favourite travel destination? Alaska.
2. What is something quirky about you? I have an addiction to purchasing organizational items.
3. What’s something on your bucket list? High five a stranger at the PERFECT moment.

Fun Facts

1. Favorite Movie - Hocus pocus the original / Mathew McConaughy Biography
2. Favorite Travel Destination - Italy
3. Hometown - Wexford, Ireland

 

I love to learn! I am excited to learn from others about their experiences with Kids Cancer Care and apply them to my own life. To be able to be part of an organization that is dedicated to helping young people and their families navigate their cancer journeys is such an honour.

Fun Facts

1. What's your camp name? Salsa
2. What's your favorite travel destination?I've never been to but I'd love to go to Greece
3. Where's your hometown? Reading, England (but grew up in Calgary)

I have three incredible daughters who keep me very busy and I’m a sports fanatic. I particularly enjoy the NFL season and my favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys.  I recently learned my spirit animal is the butterfly of which symbolizes change and transformation, as well as finding joy and lightness of being. Who would have known.

Fun Facts 

1. Favourite Movie - Field of Dreams
2. Favourite Travel Destination - Whitefish, Montana
3. Your Spirit Animal - Butterfly

As an education support specialist at Kids Cancer Care, I get to help our families by matching them with our volunteer tutors. First, I connect with our families to understand the learning and educational needs of their kids.  Then I match them with our amazing volunteer tutors who I support and guide throughout the year. Finally, I check in all along the way for ideas on how we can grow the tutoring program to better serve our families. 

I am thrilled to be working at Kids Cancer Care! My favourite things are my four kids, my husband, my puppy and my job. Having a daughter go through brain cancer and six full months of in-hospital treatment and a long ongoing recovery, I know first-hand how Kids Cancer Care can bring joy to the journey. Our family’s experience with cancer and Kids Cancer Care taught us that good things and hard things are not opposites. Rich lives are grown out of pain and joy intermingled.   

Fun Facts

1. What’s your favourite ice cream?Chocolate peanut butter on a cold day or creamsicle on a hot day.
2. What is your favourite travel destination? Any of the Hawaiian islands.
3. What’s your favourite movie? Shadowlands, the story of C.S. Lewis and the love of his life Joy Davidman. Some of my favourite reads are his books from the Narnia series. 

Fun Facts 

1. Favourite Movie - The Fugitive
2. Favourite Travel Destination - Arizona 
3. Spirit Animal - The Bear

 

I am the maintenance manager at Camp Kindle. We always have projects on the go; they range from fencing, solar lighting, building pathways, cleaning up the forested areas so we have more usable space and much more. We also mow grass and shovel snow!

Fun Facts 

1. What’s your favorite ice cream topping?My favorite ice cream topping is hot fudge, but orange crush floats are my favorite way to have ice cream.
2. Cats or dogs?Dogs are my choice of pet. I have Australian shepherds.
3. What’s something on your bucket list? A couple of things on my bucket list are riding my horse in the ocean and along the beach, somewhere warm of course. I would also like to spend a new years eve in New York and be part of the count down.

Fun Facts

1. What’s your camp name? Chips.
2. Where is your hometown? Las Vegas, Nevada.
3. What’s your favourite meal? All things Mexican. I'm obsessed with the food, culture and music of Mexico.

As our gift processor, I process and enter the donations we receive from our amazing donors. As office coordinator, I help ensure that the office runs smoothly by ordering supplies, coordinating with contractors to ensure the facility is clean and operational and ensuring that everyone who visits is greeted with a big friendly smile.

When I am not typing away at a computer, I love to go camping with my family, gardening, and working on large cross stitch projects! 

Fun Facts 

1. What is your favourite ice cream?Green Tea!
2. What is your favourite meal?Dutch Curry with chicken. 
3. Where is your home town?Calgary, born and raised!

I have been very fortunate to be a PEER volunteer for the past couple of years. Through this therapeutic exercise program, I have come to know some families and share in their journeys, which I feel is an incredible privilege. I have also come to know the kind and impactful culture here at Kids Cancer Care. I am so excited to be a part of and add to this culture as the Education Program Coordinator, and continue to connect with kiddos, their families, and the volunteers.  

Fun Facts

1. Favourite movie?Mama Mia
2. Favourite read?Over the Boards by Hayley Wickenheiser
3. What’s your favourite travel destination?Austrailia! Western Austrailia specifically has a special place in my heart as I did a six-month exchange in Perth in 2018.

Our team is creative, committed, hardworking, fun-loving, organized and compassionate, making Kids Cancer Care an incredible place to work.

Fun Facts 

1. What’s your camp name?Nino.
2. What’s your favorite movie?Anything with Hugh Jackman! Right now it's The Greatest Showman.
3. Tell us something quirky about yourself. My Hogwarts House is Hufflepuff!

Having been a part of the Kids Cancer Care team as a seasonal cook since 2013, while studying to become a registered dietitian, I have witnessed the positive impact that camp can have on families affected by cancer. I love working with such a great team that is dedicated to creating unique and unforgettable experiences for everyone who is touched by camp! 

Fun Facts

1. What's your favourite travel destination? Anywhere I get to see from between the ears of a horse.
2. Where is your hometown?Water Valley, AB.
3. What’s your favourite meal?Mac N' Cheese

Fun Facts

1. What's your favourite travel destination? Costa Rica.
2. What's your favourite movie?Green Brook
3. What’s your favourite meal?Tacos!

It is a privilege to play a role in supporting these courageous kids through scholarships, research, outreach programs and of course, the incredible Camp Kindle!

I love working here because it's inspiring to be part of the amazing Kids Cancer Care team! I am surrounded by passionate people dedicated to supporting kids and families affected by cancer. The energy and enthusiasm that we bring to our work makes it a very fulfilling place to be!

Fun Facts

1. What’s your camp name? Anchovy
2. Where is your hometown? Regina, SK
3. What's your favourite travel destination? Ireland, our family cottage in Saskatchewan, Hawaii, and many still on the list...it's a beautiful world!

I have been with Kids Cancer Care since 2013. Since then, I have seen first-hand what my work around camp can do for a child with cancer. It’s simply amazing what is possible when your heart is in your job, whether that’s keeping the camp looking great, or providing campers and groups with the best service and care you can give.

Fun Facts 

1. What is your favourite movie? The Lego Movie.
2. What is your favourite meal?Steak and baked potatoes.
3. Where is your hometown?Cremona/Water Valley, AB.

I love working for Kids Cancer Care, particularly at Camp Kindle, because I get to participate in the running of camp. I also get to see the firsthand impact that camp makes on our campers.

Fun Facts

1. Where is your hometown? Hockley, Essex, England.
2. What's your favourite movie? Toy Story.
3. What's your favourite meal?Steak fajitas.

Camp is a magical place where people can put aside their worries, labels and challenges. Where success can be as large as trying something that scares you and as small as giving a hug and either way it is special and celebrated.  I love working with people completely committed to creating the very best camp experience for every person who enters the gates.

Fun Facts 

1. What’s your camp name?Ozone.
2. What's your favourite meal?Grilled cheese and tomato soup!
3. What's your favourite movie?A Knight's Tale

Fun Facts

 

1. Where's your favorite travel destination? Goa and Kashmir in India
2. Where's your hometown? New Delhi, India
3. What's your favorite meal? Pasta!

Working in my role at Kids Cancer Care allows me to get out into the community and share the many fantastic things we do! I love feeling like I’m getting things done and making a difference. 

 

Fun Facts

1. Favourite Movie? The Man From Snowy River
2. What is your favourite travel destination? Hungary
3. What’s your favourite meal? Tacos and spaghetti.

Fun Facts

1. Favorite Ice-cream - Maple Walnut
2. Favorite Travel Destination - Spain 
3. Favorite Movie - Mamma Mia