This WSOP (World Series of Poker) structured event, including 60 minute blinds, will benefit the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada. Taking place at the Windsor Station located next to Montreal’s famous Bell Centre, from November 14^th-18^th 2009, this sure-to-be successful event will be televised nationally as well as broadcast on a number of popular and frequently visited media outlets.

This event will be made possible through generous donations, various sponsorship opportunities and of course, ticket sales. For more than 25 years, the Starlight Children’s Foundation has been granting wishes all over the country for children with life-altering injuries and for those who are terminally ill and we need your help to continue this legacy. Base tickets are being sold for 500$ for 10,000 chips.

VIP tickets are being sold for 750$ for 20,000 chips, as well as access to the VIP lounge throughout the event as well as to the VIP poker boot camp being hosted by Phil Hellmuth (11-time WSOP champion) and Annie Duke (1^st ranked female player and runner up on the Celebrity Apprentice).

UB Starlight Poker Tournament (November 14th - 18th, 2009)

melissa@starlightcanada.ca

melissa@starlightcanada.ca

Expecting parents wait for a perfect child. When the baby is born, they are so excited about the new addition to the family and all the wonderful things they will teach the child and experience together. BUT what happens to this beautiful picture when you hear a doctor pronounce a heart wrenching diagnostic after examining your child? Your child is seriously ill, will not talk, will not walk or will not live long… Your heart sinks, your hopes die, you would do anything to save your child and give her as good a life as possible. Reality hits, careers get put aside, budgets become limited and you adapt. You have no choice.

Brittany seemed to be a perfectly healthy child until she was diagnosed with epilepsy. Over the years, the illness became uncontrollable, sometimes causing more than 50 seizures a day, requiring Brittany to undergo several major surgeries. Complications have also caused irreparable brain damage. In a nutshell, Brittany’s quality of life has been deeply affected. In fact, our entire family has felt the incredible strain, stress and pain caused by the condition. Needless to say it has been a rocky road.

Starlight has given us hope where we had none left. The joy Starlight brings to our daughter and to her two sisters, the fun we had as a family on Brittany’s wish-of-a-lifetime Disney adventure, the laughter brought in to the hospital playroom, the smile to see a Fun Center being wheeled into her room, and the stress-free fun we have together as a family when we spend a few hours out with Starlight, are all PRICELESS! It’s not all about fun and smiles either… we interact with families fighting the same “fight”, we establish life long friendships, we learn from others and share our stories, the children make friends where socializing is otherwise impossible at school… there is a definite therapeutic aspect to what Starlight offers us as a family, in addition to all they do for our child. We feel blessed. We could never thank Starlight and its supporters enough for all that they have and continue giving us!

The Starlight team needs your help particularly in the current economic situation. Help us support Starlight to continue to touch the lives of many more families such as ours.

Starlight will be holding the 18th annual Golf Tournament at Elm Ridge Golf Club on June 4th this year and we hope you will join us. Please DOWNLOAD, PRINT and COMPLETE the registration sheet (scroll down to next post) to participate as a golfer, to reserve your foursome, to sponsor a hole or a Starlight program, or to make a donation.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Vanessa Prochnau & Marc Primeau

On Monday March 23, 2009, Starlight’s Executive Director, Brian Bringolf was running a regular staff meeting. During the meeting Brian brought up a point about team effort and the important role it plays in Starlight’s programs for sick children in Quebec. Although a team effort brings people together and heightens the foundations’ effectiveness, working as a team does so much more at Starlight. Here’s why…

About a month ago, Starlight staff began inviting families to attend the annual Ski-o-Thon, which was held at Ski Chantecler on Saturday, March 21, 2009. These are families whose children have been affected by challenging diseases and illnesses – the very people that Starlight helps each and every day. One of the Mothers was shocked by her invitation to the Starlight Ski-o-Thon and explained that her daughter would not be able to ski, given her condition. Karina Milard, one of Starlight’s amazing staff members explained to the Mother that her daughter would be able to ski – thanks to the amazing and innovative Starlight team. When Karina started to explain the process of how Starlight helps sick children ski using “adapted ski”, she quickly could hear the Mother being overwhelmed with joy in her voice. This past weekend the Mother watched her daughter Sabrina, a 6 year old little girl with cerebral palsy enjoy a fun day of skiing thanks to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Thousands of children just like Sabrina experience such moments because of the amazing people behind the scenes at Starlight.

To the staff and supporters of Starlight: Your work is VERY appreciated and families truly feel blessed for all that you do. Your love and hard work is not unnoticed. Starlight children feel it every time they are touched with magical experiences like Sabrina’s. And to the wonderful volunteers, staff and (last but not least) the board members; THANK YOU on behalf of Starlight families everywhere

(Adapted from a letter written by Karina Milard, Starlight staff member)

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEW REQUESTS ABOUT STARLIGHT PLEASE CONTACT BEN RODIER @ 514-945-2505

Si vous êtes comme la plupart d’entre nous, vous êtes en bonne santé et pouvez participer à de nombreuses activités telles que des événements sportifs ou culturels ou encore des fêtes en famille.

Imaginez maintenant l’expérience bien différente qu’une maladie grave vous ferait vivre. Vous pourriez être confiné à un lit d’hôpital, séparé de vos parents et amis. Vous pourriez être ralenti par des béquilles ou un fauteuil roulant. Vous pourriez passer de longues nuits solitaires à chercher comment échapper à la douleur.

La Fondation pour l’enfance Starlight tente de faire disparaître une partie de cette douleur.

Depuis 1989, la Fondation pour l’enfance Starlight Canada a égayé la vie d’une multitude d’enfants et de leur famille. En réalisant leurs vœux, en fournissant des centres de divertissement équipés de la technologie audiovisuelle de pointe aux hôpitaux pédiatriques et grâce au Programme d’activités familiales, plus de 12 000 enfants canadiens bénéficient désormais des services de la Fondation chaque mois, dont plus de 5 000 au Québec. Les services sont prodigués aux enfants âgés de quatre à 18 ans affectés de maladies graves, chroniques ou mettant leur vie en péril.

IF YOU ARE A REPORTER, PRODUCER, ANCHOR, BLOGGER, PUBLICIST, ASSIGNMENT EDITOR, OR YOU ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MEDIA, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS FEED OR JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP AND HELP US DELIVER GOOD NEWS!

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
In Montreal, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families for over 13 years. Volunteers, donors and sponsors have been invaluable in reaching our objectives and accomplishing the Starlight mission year after year.