Another amazing Run/Walk for Brianne's LEAP of Hope

 

Very honored and pleased to share the Calgary Girls School raised an amazing $6900.00 for Brianne's LEAP of Hope on June 26th, 2015.  It was a beautiful HOT day, in fact for the first time we had to finish in the Gym at the North Glenmore Community Hall!!  This is only two times in 10 years we have had to go inside, the other time because of some rain.

Warm UP

Once again, Teamsters Union 362 members, Bernie and Ken helped out and were instrumental in providing us with our stage and PA system.  I say it year after year that this event would not be the same without the Teamsters Truck.  The Parent Council as well as parent volunteers at CGS were fantastic as usual, providing great support prior to the event, with helping to arrange snacks and the amazing Hot Dogs for the post race refreshments and of course volunteering to keep us organized the day of.  Thankfully we had the tasty sport freezies to help keep us cool!!  Graciously provided by Parent Council.  We wouldn't ever forget to thank the North Glenmore Park Community Hall to let us hold this event year after year.  The girls and all that attended did a great job in keeping the Hall and grounds clean, thank you everyone!!

At the presentation, I was completely shocked when I received a cheque for the charity for $700.00 on behalf of the Parent Council.  They had popcorn sales throughout the year and chose to donate the funds to Brianne's LEAP of Hope. So very thoughtful and generous.  The girls and their families in less than two weeks raised the balance to put us just under the $7000.00 mark.  We had two raffles with Fit Bits and other great gifts, to help raise the money and add some fun.  Thanks to Shoya Wells for all her help helping me with the raffles. 

I have always been amazed year after year how this group of young women come together to help make a difference in the lives of so many children in our city and surrounding area who need our support and love. It is so fun to watch the Well Wishes that each class perform to send off the Grade 9 girls as they head to High School. It is always such a fantastic day and already look forward to next year!!!  Thanks again to the teaching Staff, the Parent Council, parent volunteers and last but definitely not least the fantastic students at CGS.  Thankfully, Brianne's legacy will live on through your shared determination with myself to share her story of courage and strength to help others.

With heartfelt thanks,

Patti

 



Brianne's Run at Calgary Girls School 2015

The date has been set for the 12th Annual Brianne's Run at the Calgary Girls School.  It will take place at the Lakeview Campus on Thursday June 25th, 2015.

More info to come soon regarding the days events!!

So once again, a great amazing day to report upon. Thanks for our amazing participants and love of Brianne, mostly for the help of Teamsters Union 362 for supporting each and every year...l was able to once again grant A FULL WISH to The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada at the Walk For Wishes in October.  I can never fully express the gratitude I have for this most amazing Charity as they provided us with incredible memories with Brianne.  I appreciate this charity and thank you all for helping us continue in our efforts to keep the Wishes to continue!!

God Bless those who may be struggling, my promise to my beautiful daughter is to keep her legacy alive. I am so grateful for all those who help me do just that!  :)

Patti

Very pleased to update on both the Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament which took place May 29th, 14 once  again at D'Arcy Ranch Golf Course in Okotoks, AB.  We had a beautiful day and as always an incredible group of people to enjoy the 8th Tournament with.  I received a cheque from Dave Foulton from the TCRC in the amount of $35000.00!

Amazing is all I can say... each year we have many of the same golfers and always some new but it is always such a wonderful day of golf and friendship.

The Calgary Girls School Run for Brianne was also a great success bringing in $5,200.00 for Brianne's LEAP of Hope.

We had a great day at this event also and had many of the Alumni from CGS attend.  Was so special as I had a special guest come share her story with the participants.  Megan Reimer was Brianne's favourite roommate while at ACH.  Brianne would be upset with us if we pulled the curtain across and she couldn't see Megan.  SO very cute.  Megan offered to share her experience and it was very heartfelt and appreciated.  Thank you Megan!!

8th Annual Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament Cheque Presentation

Dates for our Spring Fundraising Season - Teamsters Charity Golf and Brianne's Run/Walk at CGS

Spring is finally is here!  Which, for Brianne`s LEAP of Hope means two amazing events to help support children in our city and province that may be suffering from illness and or life limiting conditions, in memory of our sweet Angel.... Brianne Paige.

Thursday, May 29th, 2014 we will be celebrating the 8th Annual Teamster`s Charity Golf Tournament once again at D`Arcy Ranch in Okotoks.  To all those that have came to this fantastic day in previous years, thank you and I look forward to seeing you all again! To our new participants, I look forward to meeting you soon. 

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 we will continue with tradition with holding the Brianne`s Fun Run/Walk at the Calgary Girls School in Lakeview.  This is the 9th year for this event that the efforts and passion of the community at the Calgary Girls School have helped us contribute and carry on with our efforts to make a difference. 

As always following both events our site will be updated with photos and sharing our successes and celebrations.  Thank you to all involved including of course the Teamsters Union 362, The Teamsters Rail Conference and all the staff, students and parents at the Calgary Girls School for making it possible to continue to help our kids.  :)




Presentation to The Children's Wish Foundation
of Canada for $15,000.00 at
Walk for Wishes
October, 2013

Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament 2013



I am very excited to announce the amount raised from this year's Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament which was held May 30th at D'Arcy Ranch in Okotoks, AB. The Golf Committee recently presented me with a Cheque for $35,000.00  which makes the total amount raised by Teamsters in 7 years holding the tournament to an astounding $204,000! 

 

I find it hard to express appropriately the gratitude I have for Teamsters Union 362 and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference for their continued support for the past 11 years.  Brianne's LEAP of Hope is honored to be the recipient of the funds raised each year and are thrilled to be able to continue on with the efforts to help children with life threatening illnesses in Calgary and surrounding area.

 



Total Raised at Calgary Girls School Run- June 7th, 2013

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to announce that an amazing $10,809.00 was raised at Brianne's Run on June 7th at the Calgary Girls School!!  Funds were raised by tickets sold for two raffle baskets that I made for each of both the Lakeveiw and the Belaire Campuses. Girls sold tickets during lunch hour and as well they were sharing Brianne's story with their family and friends to collect pledges.  They have done an amazing job once again and I am both honoured and proud to be part of the CGS Community where "giving" is such a strong aspect of their culture at the school.

We had Jennifer from The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation present (and shared more information regarding Brian Health) as well as other Board Members attended from the ACHF which was great.  As always, Teamsters Union 362 provided us with our stage and PA system and this event would never be the same without them.  Unilever Canada donated many items to give away, Sysco provided us with our post race refreshments as did the Parent Council. Tim Hortons provided us with Timbits which of course were a huge hit!
We appreciate all the parent volunteers and staff that helped organize and handout the food for the post race activities.  Of course, North Glenmore Park Community Association is our greatest sponsor as they allow us to hold this event each year and again, we are so very grateful.  So a big thank you to all the Staff, students, parents and sponsors that equally helped to make Brianne's Run a huge success once again!!  Please read the previous post for information on the Brain Health Program and as always we will donate to The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.
I look forward to it all again next June!!

Patti presenting to Lakeview Campus

Jennifer from Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation speaking to students about Brain Health 

Poster made by the Students to demonstrate progress of goal, so amazing!

Brianne's Hope for a Miracle Run at Calgary Girls School

Excited for this Friday morning,  June 7th, 2013, as we celebrate another end of the year at The Calgary Girls School by hosting our Annual Fun 3/5K Run benefiting Brianne's LEAP of Hope.
I will post photos following the event and thanks to all those who are helping us raise funds for The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation Brain Health Program and The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

Special thanks to Teamsters Union 362 for providing the Truck and Trailer for our stage and PA system for the last 11 years, Sysco Foods, Sure Print (Southland), North Glenmore Park Community Hall, Tim Hortons, Unilever Canada and of course the Calgary Girls School (Staff, Parent Council, students and all volunteers) for the continued support for the last 8 years. 

 

 

7th Annual Teamster's Charity Golf Tournament

The date is set for the 7th Annual Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament at D'Arcy Ranch in Okotoks, AB.  We are set to go for Thursday, May 30th, 2013 and I look forward to another great day of Golf, lots of fun and incredible food with our amazing participants who have offered continued support each year and also to those who may be new to this most special day to "Make a Difference" to many of our children in Calgary and surrounding area!

This 11th year of Brianne's LEAP of Hope's spring fundraising events will continue to support both The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada who graciously sent our family to Disneyland, CA for Brianne's Wish Trip and also The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.   This year we have chosen to help fund the "Brain Health Program".

The Alberta Children’s Hospital is committed to becoming a global leader in the discovery and application of new treatments for brain health. Adding research

resources – clinical, translational and basic science - is essential to drive innovation and advances in treatment for the future. Three of the areas the pediatric brain injury research program will concentrate on are:

Stroke: Established provincial collaborations exist to create the largest population-based sample of perinatal stroke ever studied – around 800 children. Using this cohort, focused research areas in fetal and newborn stroke will include clinical, prothrombotic, genetic, and biomarker risk profiles; the role of placental disease; epidemiology of perinatal stroke syndromes; and imaging studies to predict outcome and understand recovery. Capitalizing on these existing collaborations will provide an opportunity to improve our understanding of perinatal stroke, treatment options, and ultimately, uncover opportunities to advance care for these infants.

Concussion: While the existing brain injury and rehabilitation clinic can accommodate all forms of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), they are presently unable to handle mild TBI - the most common form of TBI. 20% of children have a mild traumatic brain injury before the age of 10 years. At this time, there are no known effective treatments for persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) or methods to assess the effectiveness of potential treatments. By focusing on prevention, education, training, clinical care and research, a formalized complex concussion clinic would provide a unique approach as it would offer comprehensive medical evaluation and intervention.

Epilepsy: It is the conventional belief that seizures in the majority of epileptic patients can be controlled with medications; however, the adverse cognitive psychiatric and psychological problems, memory difficulties, mood and behavioral problems and anxiety are often minimized or overlooked. Up to 30-40% of patients with epilepsy will remain unresponsive to medications and only a small fraction of these may be eligible for epilepsy surgery. Currently, those patients who are not candidates for epilepsy surgery have only two major alternative treatment options. We need to better understand what treatments will work for whom and under what conditions treatments will be most effective.

With your support, you will help us move closer to our vision of become national leaders in Brain Health.

The total needed for the pediatric brain injury research is $7.5 million. Brianne’s LEAP of Hope is proud to be part of this so incredibly important program.

We look forward to seeing you all on May 30th!! 

Patti, Lorea, Ken and The Teamsters Union and Teamsters Rail Conference~

6th Annual Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament Cheque Presentation

Patti Sporting our Triditional Golf Attire for the Volunteers 

Lorea Grant (Board Member of BLOH)
and Patti Zabot

I am pleased to announce the amount raised at the 6th Annual Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament which was held on May 31st, 2012 at D'Arcy Ranch Golf Course in Okotoks.  We had an amazing day of golf, followed by an awesome dinner and thankfully the weather more than cooperated for us this year. We were thrilled to hold our Tournament on the actual day versus rescheduling as the past two years due to either a spring snow storm or torrential rain storm! :)

All but two members of the Golf Committee were present yesterday for an incredible lunch at Pasquales on McLeod, where I graciously accepted a cheque on behalf of Brianne's LEAP of Hope for $34,000.00!  This is incredible to me that a tournament can raise this amount, and I smiled proudly as I was reminded that of the 18 holes out at the course, many of the holes displayed 3 sponsorships! I can't thank the Teamsters Union 362 and the Teamsters Rail Conference adequately for all they have done for this charity for the past ten years. When preparing a speech to thank the Committee, participants and sponsors for attending the tournament (many golfers have come for all 6 years and travel from Eastern Canada to attend), it was hard to put in words how much the relationship I have had with the Teamsters means to me as they have been such an incredible source of support and friendship.  It was overwhelming for me and I am so grateful for all of their continued support throughout the years; for this Tournament of course, but also for providing the Teamsters Truck for all my Runs held at North Glenmore Park and at The Calgary Girls School year after year.  What an incredible way to celebrate 10 years of Brianne's LEAP of Hope! This donation combined with the $10,350.00 raised at the Calgary Girls School in June, puts us close to $350,000.00 raised in total since 2002.
I am so thankful for all those who have helped Brianne's LEAP of Hope and our efforts to achieve this incredible goal so we can continue to help those families with children with life limiting illnesses in Calgary and surrounding areas.

Cheque being presented by Doug Finnson

(TCRC Vice President) and Rick Eichel

(Teamsters Union 362 Principal Officer)

                                           Teamsters Charity Golf Committee

Left to right- Rick Eichel, Doug Finnson, Jackie Brown, John Doerksen, Patti Zabot, Roy Finlay

                                                  (Missing - Lance Wallace and Dave Fulton)

2012 Calgary Girls School Run Update

Thank you to all students, staff and volunteers at The Calgary Girls School for another very successful Run/Walk for Brianne's LEAP of Hope June 26th, 2012.  You all amaze me once again, however not surprised that you raised $10, 350.00!  Well done girls, great job sharing Brianne's story to your friends and family to help us to continue to support other families in the Calgary area with children with life limiting illnesses.
Of course a special thank you to North Glenmore Park Community Hall for allowing us once again to use their parking lot and gym (to finish the Rythmic Wishes for the Grade 9's). Also, a most heartfelt appreciation for Teamsters Union 362; for providing the Truck and trailer as always... without it our event would not be the same.  Sponsors to thank that provided items for our raffle baskets, Unilver Canada and Gerry Cool (Silpada Ca.).
Funds this year will support the KIDSIM Program at The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation and also as always we will continue to give generously to The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

Each year, The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation works respectively with great thought to help Brianne's LEAP of Hope choose which program to support during our fundraising season.  I found one of this years program incredibly interesting and could see how this would have surely aided in Brianne's care as she suffered from uncontrollable seizure activity throughout her illness.  It is frightening as a parent to watch your child suffer from seizures without being able to do much aside to support them to be sure they are always safe.  Below I have included some information on this initiative which I am thrilled to support this year.

The KIDSIM Program

Thanks to generous donors like you, specialists at the Alberta Children’s Hospital are preparing to offer new hope and help to these families in the form of specialized, hands-on education. Plans are now underway for a simulation-based training program that will help prepare parents to develop the skills and confidence to handle their child’s complex seizure disorders.

Since 2005, human patient simulation at the Alberta Children’s Hospital has trained thousands of health care professionals how to handle life-threatening medical emergencies by running mock trauma and resuscitation drills on sophisticated, life-like mannequins. Because they’re so realistic, these high-tech dolls can simulate breathing, pulses, blood pressure, as well as speech and sound so they can replicate a child’s response to illness, injury and treatment.

Having provided national leadership in simulation training for healthcare professionals for over six years, the Alberta Children’s Hospital KidSIM™ Program is  building on the success of the hospital’s nation-leading program for health professionals and extending similar education and training to families of children who suffer from chronic diseases with the possibility of acute deterioration - beginning with seizures.

A child may have a variety of seizures, some more dangerous than others. Hospital experts will work with parents to practice real-life scenarios on high-tech mannequins programmed to have simulated seizures. Parents will learn how to get their child in the recovery position, monitor and support their breathing, and to draw and safely administer rescue medication – all while calling the hospital for help and any additional support their child may need.

Deanna Koot is a registered nurse and the Project Coordinator for the upcoming initiative.

“It’s natural to feel panicked when a child starts seizing, even when you’re a trained caregiver, so it’s incredibly frightening for parents and family members to see their own child having a seizure,” says Deanna. “Certain seizures are so violent there isn’t time to get the child to hospital. Providing the opportunity for a parent or caregiver to practice a stressful scenario until they’re comfortable will empower families to provide necessary support and medications. We work hard to provide families with the tools to care for their child when and where they require it, and we believe that for many families, simulation training is that tool.”

Now, thanks to community support, the KidSIM™ and Neurology teams are planning to begin this type of training with families this fall as part of an important ground-breaking research project. What’s more, this project will be the first of its kind in the world!

“Our hospital is providing international leadership in both simulation-based, inter-professional training and research, with the aim to further highlight and share the impact of our important work,” says Dr. Vincent Grant, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Calgary and Medical Director of the KidSIM™ Program at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. “Our first objective is to provide families and professionals with the experience they need to manage medical crises as efficiently, safely, and confidently as possible. We also want to share the scientific evidence we gather with the broader medical community so the benefits may be felt across North America and beyond. It’s very exciting.”

Brianne's Run at The Calgary Girls School will take place Tuesday, June 26th, 2012!

This event marks 7 years in keeping with this tradition to wind up the school year at CGS by holding Brianne's Run. The girls will run 5K in support of Brianne's LEAP of Hope.  Yesterday I spent the morning visiting the students and staff at both Lakeview and Belaire Campuses to share Brianne's story and to explain why supporting both the Alberta Children's Hospital and The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is so important. Amazing group and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation Cheque Presentation

John Doerksen (Teamsters Union 362), Patti Zabot and Lance Wallace (Teamsters Union 362), March 13, 2012 at Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation. ($22,000.00 of which was directed from the $34,000.00 raised at the 5th Annual Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament in August, 2011.)

The 6th Annual Teamster's Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled and will be taking place May 31st, 2012 at D'Arcy Ranch in Okotoks.

Children's Wish Foundation of Canada Cheque Presentation

November 24th (yesterday) I met with Jason Evanson (AB and NWT Chapter Director of Children's Wish Foundation of Canada) to present $14,000.00 on behalf of Brianne's LEAP of Hope as a result of our 2011 Fundraising Season.

Thanks to the Calgary Girls School and the Annual Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament; this is the 4th year we have been fortunate enough to be able to contribute between $12,000.00-$14,000.00 to provide funds for a full wish. I believe the average Wish granted is approximately $11,000.00 and unfortunately they have had an incredible increase in the number of requests for Wishes this year. I am so glad to play a small role to help these kids and their families....:)

ps....be sure to check out the cutest little girl with Mickey Mouse ears in the right corner of the beautiful new poster behind Jason and I! ;)

Children's Walk For Wishes October 16th, 2011

Was pleased to be able to attend the Walk for Wishes to commit to donate $14k for a full Wish for the 4th year on behalf of Brianne's LEAP of Hope!

a favorite pic....

a favorite pic

Teamster's Annual Charity Golf Tournament Cheque Presentation, October 24th, 2011 at Pasquales on McLeod.

Total raised from this years Tournament which was held on August 30th, 2011 at D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club in Okotoks ~ $34,000.00!!!

Thanks to all those who supported us this year, including the Golf Committee at Teamsters Union and the Teamsters Rail Conference, D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club and of course all the amazing participants and volunteers!!

5th Annual Teamsters Golf Tournament August 30th, 2011

Calgary Girls School Run 2012

Calgary Girls School Fun Run/Walk for Brianne's LEAP of Hope will be held in June 2012, date will be announced soon!!

Thanks to Bikram Yoga Calgary South

I would like to thank Bikram Yoga Calgary South for having Brianne's LEAP of Hope as the Charity for Friday night "Karma" night in June, 2011. $480.00 was raised and we thank you and are so very grateful!!

Below is the article as it appeared in the BYCS newsletter.

PATTI ZABOT AND BRIANNE'S LEAP OF HOPE

My name is Patti Zabot, I have attended Bikram Calgary South Yoga since October 2010. It has become an integral part of healing for me personally, physically (having an artificial disc replacing C6/C7 in February 2011) and spiritually; I am very proud to call Bikram Calgary South my "yoga home".

I have been blessed with two daughters, Kayla, now 15, and Brianne, who was our youngest. Brianne was born a perfectly healthy baby. When she was 11 months old, we began to have concerns about her balance and movements. This led to a three-and-a-half year journey filled with many hospital admissions, tests galore and a long list of unanswered questions. We learned that Brianne suffered from an leukodystrophy, an extremely rare metabolic disorder affecting the white matter of her brain. Leukodystrophy is very difficult to diagnose and, unfortunately, the treatment is to simply deal with symptoms as they arise.

Just as a plastic coating covers and protects the wires of an electrical cord, a myelin sheath protects the central nervous system in the gray and white matter of the brain. Brianne had a small lesion in the white matter (responsible for all motor control), deep within her brain. As a result, one part of her brain would have difficulty sending messages to another part of her brain, similar to what would happen if the coating on an electrical cord was not intact, causing short circuiting. Sadly, Brianne eventually lost most of her physical abilities, developed uncontrollable seizures, and succumbed to this disease from pneumonia at four-and-a-half years of age, on February 22nd of 2003.

Shortly thereafter, Brianne's LEAP of Hope was formed; it is a registered non-profit charity. Brianne's LEAP (Luekodystrophy Education and Awareness Project) of Hope is dedicated to raising public awareness of, and medical research into, rare childhood metabolic diseases, especially those affecting the white matter of the brain.

For nine years, we have held Brianne's Hope for a Miracle Run/Walk, sold books and held other creative fundraisers in her memory, in order to help other families who have children with life limiting illnesses. Since 2003, our efforts have raised $251,000, which has gone toward research into leukodystrophy, to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, and to the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. May 26th, 2011, marks the 5th Annual Teamsters Charity Golf Tournament, held in Brianne's memory at D'Arcy Ranch in Okotoks.  

We are incredibly grateful to be the recipient of funds from BYCS Karma classes for June, 2011. We are very proud that we will be able to continue to help other terminally ill children and their families in our community through the beautiful energy created in this sacred space at Bikram Yoga Calgary South. Thank you and ...

Namaste,

- Patti Zabot and family

Please visit our website:  www.briannesleapofhope.org