Canadian Sunshine Kids Spokesperson

We're please to announce that for the first time, Canada has its own Sunshine Kids Spokesperson! He is Geoffrey Reyes and he is a high school student in Abbotsford, BC. We will be making arrangements to have him into the Waterloo Region to speak at one of our events some time this year.

Here is his bio:

Geoffrey’s first experience with the Sunshine Kids Foundation was on the 2009 Haunted Halloween Getaway in New Orleans, Louisiana. “I believe that the trip down south was the most gratifying experience I've ever had. The people I met who were apart of the organization were so kindhearted and welcoming; making every kid feel like they belong. This trip was the first time that I actually socialized with young people who have been through cancer like myself. I made a lot of friends and we all joked around and had such a great time together. We were all cancer patients, but being together in those precious moments made me forget about all the wrong in my life, it made me have a greater appreciation for the smaller things that we tend to forget. The trip down to New Orleans changed my life.”

“I believe what this Foundation does is so amazing. I specifically loved the fact that my neighboring American friends would be joking about how Canadians say eh, and how our Canadian bacon isn't really bacon. The Sunshine Kids helps show us that we are not alone in our life struggle and anything can be done with a smile on your face.”

Geoffrey was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in January 2009. Before he was diagnosed he was feeling very fatigued and had no appetite for a couple of months. Then the symptoms intensified, which included stomach pains. He went to a walk in clinic for the third time after being misdiagnosed and then was sent immediately to the hospital. He takes 6 pills a day that kills his white blood cells and red blood cells to control it. He spent over 2 months in the hospital before things started to get better.

“I found out I was going to be a Sunshine Kids National Spokeskid after a bad day of school. My mom informed me at the end of the day with a note full of excitement exclaiming the news. I was very ecstatic. I am very honored by representing this great organization.”

Geoffrey enjoys long walks on the beach, basketball, bowling, guitar, friends, and his family. He has two dreams in life; Finish school to become a teacher and meet Selena Gomez.

5th Annual Sunshine Kids Mini-Golf

We are presently organizing our 5th Annual Sunshine Kids Mini Golf Tournament. It will be held at the Cambridge office, 471 Hespeler Road, on Friday November 6th from 2 -6 PM. We are looking for sponsors ($ 100.00) and ticket sales ($ 20.00). It's a great event, and all proceeds go to Sunshine Kids. Last year we raised almost $ 13,000. at this event. There's food and refreshments, door prizes, a silent auction, and a chance to connect with old friends. All this with a charitable tax receipt! Contact any Prudential agent or the office (519-621-2000 or cambridge@prugvr.com)to book your ticket now.

Sunshine Kids off to Austin, Texas

A carload of us went down to Pearson Airport this morning to see off four Sunshine Kids who are off to Texas for a week of fun. Here is a picture of them with their nurse from Sick Kids, Karen (who has graciously donated her time) as they are about to check their luggage. It was great to meet them and tell them a bit about Sunshine Kids. None of them had met before this morning, so I think they're probably a little apprehensive. But we all know that will change quickly.

Pictured left to right are, Emily Parks, Lloyd Twuh-Siaw, Nurse Karen Schneider, Brendan Black, and Alexandra Seventikidis

Sunshine Kids Walkathon

The Kitchener office is changing things up this year for our annual fundraiser for Sunshine Kids. We are running a walkathon on Saturday, June 20th at Waterloo Park in Waterloo. Tickets are $ 20.00 per person or $ 30.00 per family. Registration starts at 9 AM and the 3 km walk starts at 10 Am.

The event is designed as a family event with lots of refreshments and treats for the kids. We are looking for sponsors and participants. We hope that you can sign up for this great event.

For further information, you can contact Goran, at 519-745-7000 or by email at goran@prugvr.com.

As a further note, we are seeing off a group of four Ontario Sunshine Kids who are going to Texas on a week long trip this Sunday. They are Brandon Black from Whitby, Lloyd Twuh-Siaw from Etobicoke, Emily Parks from Preterborough, and Alexandra Seventikidis from Toronto. We hope they have a great trip and we'll keep you posted on their progress.

Sunshine Kids Update

Here are some good works being done across the country through Sunshine Kids donations.

In Halifax, Sunshine Kids made a donation to the Halifax Children's Hospital (IWK Health Centre) towards a new nurse/patient calling system in the Children's Cancer Ward.

In Toronto, Sunshine Kids has supported Sick Children's Hospital with the purchase of five computerized IV units for the cancer/oncology department.

In Vancouver, Sunshine Kids is assisting Sick Kids Hospital with funds towards creating a recreation games room for patients.

There are several trips planned for this year. A trip from Halifax will be going to Texas to a "Country Hill Event" in June, 2009. A trip from Vancouver is going to Steamboat Springs, Colorado in March, 2009 for Winter Games. A third trip from Ottawa is planned for New York for a "Broadway Break" in July, 2009.

It's really nice and rewarding to see our hard work come to fruition.

Pat Melhuish, our Canadian president is presently working on an Ontario Gala Dinner and dance to be held on Dixie Road Mississauga on May 29th. I will pass along the details when I get them.

Cambridge Sunshine Kids Mini-golf Report

Last Friday was the Cambridge office's Fourth Annual Mini-Golf Tournament. Every year things get a little better. More money, more people, and more prizes!
This year, we raised $12,300 !

Congratulations to the committee for all your hard work over the past few months. Sincere thanks to all our generous donors for making this such a great event.

Brian Ashton, our unofficial Prudential photographer, put together some of his pictures into a virtual tour. You can check them out here.

Sunshine Kids Annual Mini Golf Tournament

We are presently organizing our 4th Annual Sunshine Kids Mini Golf Tournament. It will be held at the Cambridge office, 471 Hespeler Road, on Friday November 7th from 2 -6 PM. We are looking for sponsors ($ 100.00) and ticket sales ($ 20.00). It's a great event, and all proceeds go to Sunshine Kids. There's food and refreshments, door prizes, a silent auction, and a chance to connect with old friends. All this with a charitable tax receipt! Contact any Prudential agent or the office to book your ticket now.

A Sunshine Kids Thank You

We plug along day to day contributing and raising money for the Canadian Sunshine Kids. This thank you letter came to me via email recently. It is written by Ashley Dauke from Port Coquitlam, BC, who attended a Sunshine Kids event in New York City in July. It makes our fundraising efforts all worthwhile. Our mini-golf tournament is coming up on November 7th at the Cambridge office. This year's goal is $ 10,000!

Thank you Sunshine Kids
I want to tell you how much I appreciate the experience of New York. I had been looking forward to July 20 for months and my expectations were not disappointed. It's true what they say, New York really never sleeps. I can see why, it's so big and bright with so many things to see. Who wants to sleep?
The New York trip marked the end of my intensive treatment and the beginnings of normal life. It's a trip I'll always remember for changing the way I see the world.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank You
Ashley Dauke

New Canadian Sunshine Kids Website

There is a new website for the Canadian Sunshine Kids Foundation. There's lots of information about trips and fundraisers. There are even a couple picture from one of our mini-golf fundraisers. You can check it out at www.sunshinekidsfoundation.ca

Sunshine Kids Garage Sale

Congratulations to all for the Prudential Garage Sale held at the Cambridge office on Saturday June 16th in support of Sunshine Kids. We had a great day, with a great turnout from the community and the weather was perfect!
We raised almost $ 1184.00 for Sunshine Kids Canada. Special thanks to all who worked hard to make the day a success. Special recognition should go to Marie Miller, Lucy Schito, and Rena Miller for organizing the event.
Here are a couple photos of the day:

Cambridge Sunshine Kids Mini Golf Tournament

Congratulations to all for another successful Sunshine Kids Mini Golf Tournament. On Friday we raised over $ 6,900.00 for the Canadian Sunshine Kids Foundation. Many thanks to all the sponsors, staff, and agents who worked hard to make the day a success. Please note in the middle of this photo, Gary Goodyear, our local MP who was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to attend our event. Here are a few pictures from the day.


For the record, please note that Ken is the only one WITHOUT a drink! (But we can't see his left hand!)



Jerry and his two most favourite wives!



Lisa: Rumour has it that you are joining the Eastern Star! Does Scott know about this!


Most of the committee for Sunshine Kids. Keep up the good work!

We Support Sunshine Kids

At Prudential Grand Valley Realty we support the Canadian Sunshine Kids Foundation. The charity organizes exciting, positive group activities (like trips to Disney World) for children diagnosed with cancer. The funds raised by the Canadian Prudential family are used to sponsor Canadian kids from the oncology departments in Canadian Hospitals.

At Prudential Grand Valley, we raise money by donating a portion of our commission on transactions, and by running Miniature Golf Tournaments in the spring in the fall. The Kitchener office runs their tournament in the spring, the Cambridge office in the fall. Last year, collectively, we raised $ 24,000. for Sunshine Kids, which was the highest amount raised by any Prudential company in Canada. We are especially proud of our staff for their hard work and generosity to help Sunshine Kids.

On November 17,2006 from 2 to 6 PM the Cambridge office is hosting their Second Annual Sunshine Kids Mini-Golf Tournament. Tickets are $ 20.00 to attend this fun social. We hope you can attend and support this great cause.