Fundraiser helps lend a hand to families
NICK to provide resources to help children diagnosed with cancer
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their family has a very tough road ahead.
But thanks to the Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation (NICK), resources to help navigate the future are close at hand.
“In 2007, my grandson was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and there was no support system or help in Northwest Indiana for families of children with cancer,” said NICK founder and foundation director Donna Criner. “After he was better, we felt a need to give back to families in our community.”
That they did, incorporating and becoming a nonprofit organization in 2009.
The list of services that connect the families to their requests is quite broad, Criner added, since each family has different needs.
To date, the organization has connected with 154 families. Currently, 35 families are in treatment.
Support comes in the form of two large fundraisers held each year.
The organization also depends on their communities (they cover six Indiana counties) to host fundraisers on their behalf and also individual donations from companies and private citizens.
One recent benefit was a two-part, Kentucky Derbythemed event. Starting with a formal Saturday night dinner, the event also offered a festival the following day at Schererville’s Redar Park.
The public was invited, as well as those already connected with NICK.
In attendance for the park festivities were Schererville residents Sarah Wagner and her son Landon, 6.
Landon was diagnosed with kidney cancer a few years ago and mom found out about NICK shortly thereafter.
“I didn’t know where to turn or what to do,” Sarah said. “NICK has been wonderful, helping with resources while I was dealing with this.”
During the festival, members of Costumers With A Cause strolled through the crowd, stopping to talk with the youngsters and posing for pictures.
Batman, Woody from “Toy Story,” and other superheroes and Disney characters appeared.
“I love volunteering for this cause and NICK’s mission,” said Matt Rzepka of Portage, aka Woody. “They are a fantastic group.”
The NICK Foundation connects local families with similar experiences to create support and provide hope during a difficult time.
They also direct families to other helpful resources, provide financial assistance to help with expenses, assist with travel arrangements (should treatment choices take them to another state), organize fun events for the whole family, and contribute to charities that fund promising research in pediatric cancer fields.
NICK Director of Services and Families Nicole Yarrow of Schererville became involved with the organization a few years ago.
“My son is a childhood cancer survivor and I wanted to be able to help others like us, to provide them hope and let them know they aren’t alone,” she said. “I am able to help parents going through a similar situation. When we tell a new family, ‘We know how you’re feeling and have been there,’ we truly mean it.”
For more information about Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation, call 219-351-5129 or email info@nwicancerkids.org.