Raspberry Kids is so pleased to work with one of our customers, Denise Barton who is the author of C is for Cancer and Kai’s mom.

We are so excited to sell her book on our website about her family’s experience with childhood cancer.  Kai has leukemia and the book is a story written from his perspective and talks about what other families can expect when faced with this or a similar situation.

All proceeds of our sales go back to Denise’s foundation for cancer related causes.

Recently, Denise ordered some Plan Toys that were for Kai’s school called Jamie’s preschool which is for immune compromised children.

Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying the toys!  So nice to see smiles on the faces of these brave little troopers.

Kai at Jamie's Preschool with his new toys!

Denise has been such a huge supporter of Raspberry Kids and I am so glad fate brought us together.  She is a beautiful person with an amazing spirit and we are actually hoping to meet in person this summer when she and her husband come to Vancouver.

If you want more information, we have shared a recent press release about Denise’s book:

Contact Info:
Denise Barton
94 Royal Ridge Manor NW
Calgary, AB
T3G 0A2

(403) 208 9800

denisebarton@telus.net

‘C is for Cancer’ Children’s book donated to children’s hospitals across Canada including:

B.C. Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC

Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary AB

Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, AB

Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon SK

Pasqua Hospital, Regina, SK

Allan Blair Caner Clinic, Regina, SK

The Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MN

Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, Quebec

IWK Health Centre, Halifax NS

Janeway Children’s Hospital, St John’s NL

My name is Denise Barton and I have recently self-published a book entitled ‘C is for Cancer’ after my three year-old son Kai was diagnosed with Leukemia in December of 2007. I believe it to be a helpful tool in explaining the cancer and its treatment to children and parents alike.

I have had great success with the private sale of the book starting with family and friends and have been able to distribute over 400 books to children’s oncology units across the country with the help of generous donations from people all over the country. In addition, over two thousand dollars has been raised for various children’s cancer-related charities including Make-a-Wish Canada, Jamie’s Preschool, Kids Cancer Care Foundation, and Leukemia/Lymphoma Society of Canada.

‘C is for Cancer’ is already being utilized in the initial package given to families at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary and the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario plans to distribute the book to every newly-diagnosed cancer patient under the age of 7. It’s also been added to the public library systems in both Calgary and Edmonton. Countless schools now also have the book in their libraries.

My ultimate goal is to get these books to the people who need them the most, the families just starting their journeys with childhood cancer, which is why we have donated the books to the various hospitals mentioned above. I think it would also be a valuable resource for teachers. All too often it is the teachers that have to explain the absence of a child to his/her classmates, and I feel that Kai’s book would make this task much easier.

My initial private book sale of 1500 books has ended and the book is now available online at www.raspberrykids.com (a Vancouver-based children’s lifestyle store) or contact Denise at denisebarton@telus.net.

Previous Media Links:

Global National Story:
http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/national/features/everyday_hero/features.html

Calgary Herald Story:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/columnists/tackles+word+with+kids+book/1319514/story.html

Mountain View Gazette Story:
http://www.mountainviewgazette.ca/news2.html

Praise for “C is for Cancer”

“This little gem of a book is a great read for all families who are beginning the

experience of having a child with cancer. It is an effective tool for those families

to share with friends and relatives – especially those with young children. And

the simplicity of the book makes it an easy read for any classroom setting.

There is much fear and mystery surrounding the great unknown about childhood

cancer, and Denise Barton throws the door wide open on topics and questions

that would enter anyone’s mind. She has done a superb job of bringing us into

little Kai’s world – and she has done so with bravery, tact and humor.

This book is a must-read for anyone whose life was been touched with childhood

cancer, and for the community at large to get an insider’s education.”

Liz Mackie ECE, BA History and Literature,

Recipient of the Alberta Child Care Professional Award of Excellence 2006

Teacher, Jamie’s Preschool (a program for young children with cancer)

For an evaluation copy of the book or to talk with me directly please use the contact info above.

Love and Gratitude,
Denise Barton

Signing off on a beautiful sunny Friday afternoon,
Sue

–
Sue Sinclair
Chief Executive Mom, Raspberry Kids

Until May 31st, “wee” need your help!

Please vote for Raspberry Kids http://www.weewelcome.ca/en/node/34279

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"C" is for Cancer, by Denise Barton $9.99 ALL proceeds Childrens' Cancer-related causes.

Raspberry Kids is very pleased to be selling Denise Barton’s book entitled “C” is for Cancer.

“C” is for Cancer is written from the perspective of Denise’s son, Kai who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on December 25th, 2007.

Kai is currently undergoing a maintenance phase of treatment and will continue this through 2011.

We were so grateful to have met Denise through her husband Sean who is a Raspberry Kids customer.  Sean had ordered one of our Quadrilla Twist and Rail sets and sent us an email to inquire when it might arrive because he had a 4 year old who was waiting at the door for it to be delivered.  How cute is that?  After responding to Sean, a dialogue ensued and we exchanged stories about how Cancer had personally touched each of our lives.  I cannot speak for Denise, Sean or Kai but I felt an instant connection with them.

Perhaps it was because my husband’s brother died of Leukemia when he was 20 and I regret that I never got a chance to meet Michael.  Maybe it is because their beautiful blue eyed, blond little boy who has the most incredible smile reminded me of our two year old son who is also blond, blue eyed and has what my mom used to call “a winning smile”.

Since RaspberryKids launched in November, one of the pieces I felt was lacking was a way to give back.  I knew I wanted to do something but nothing quite felt right, that is not until fate brought our families together.

I have made no promises to Denise that I can sell millions of her books (although that would be awesome!), rather I have committed to try to sell the books and ALL proceeds will go back to Denise, Sean and Kai to allocate as they see fit.  Denise and I have discussed some options such as having the money go toward buying toys for a special facility that allows immune compromised kids to play without fear or risk of catching colds or germs from toys that have been used by other kids.  Another idea was to use the money to help print and distribute more books, specifically into Children’s hospitals across Canada where other kids and families are asking the same questions as Kai such as “Why me?” and to help them cope with their situation with a bit of humor, an understanding of what the process is and most of all, with a lot of love and support.

If you would like to hear more about Kai, Denise and Sean’s story, these are two great articles they shared with me:

Global National Story: