Sunday, October 29, 2000 Oakville Beaver Weekend 11 Fashion show will benefit childhood cancer survivors By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A former Daffodil Girl is today an active, outgoing and effervescent teen, a survivor of childhood cancer. Vanessa Pastoric, 13, has been in remission for nine years. Recently, her annual check-ups at the Hospital for Sick Children have been changed to once every two years. The Grade 8 student at St. M ichael's School was Oakville's Daffodil Girl four years ago to promote Daffodil Days, the annual sale of the yellow blooms to raise money for cancer research. Today, she's one of three Ontario teens involved with forming the Childhood Cancer Foundation - Candlelighter Teens. So far, this group con sists of 10 to 15 teens from across Canada, cancer sur vivors and those undergoing treatment, says Vanessa's mom, Helen Pastoric. For years, she was involved with the organization's Oakville affiliate, Parents of Children with Cancer, a group she established in 1992. Vanessa is selling bandan nas covered in colourful chil dren's hand prints for $15 each to raise money for a Candlelighter Teens trip to an outdoor education and marine biology centre in the Caribbean, in conjunction with Mentor College in Mississauga, during March Break. "This will give the teens an opportunity to bond," said her mother. Vanessa was diagnosed with leukemia at age two, and had three years of non-stop chemotherapy treatments at hospitals in Toronto, Mississauga and Oakville. When diagnosed, Vanessa suf fered extreme fatigue, had dark circles under her eyes, com plained of leg pain, and refused to walk. Her worried parents took her to their family doctor, Teresa Goldenberg, who immediately ordered a blood test. That same day, Dec. II, 1989, they were ordered to bring Vanessa to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital with a suitcase. That evening, she was transferred to Sick Kids. "We were extremely upset," said Pastoric. "We obviously knew it was some thing serious, but you don't normally associate cancer with children, so it was the furthest thing from our minds." Pastoric attributes her 2000 Rotary Auction focuses on helping local youth Raptors tickets. Leaf tickets. Gift certificates to some of Oakville's finest shops. A six-month lease on a PT Cruiser. What do they all have in common? They could be yours at a bargain price - if you tune in to this year's Oakville Rotary Auction, November 24 & 25 on Cogeco 23, and place a winning bid. A committee of representatives from three Oakville Rotary Clubs - Oakville-Trafalgar, Oakville West and Oakville North - has been working for months to bring the biggest and best event to you this year. An integral part of the Auction will be conducted simultane ously on the Internet at B g g f l b f a m m - you can bid on special items (that won't be televised) 24 hours a day! Obtaining a bargain on advance Christmas shopping is not the only reason for participating. Chair Barry Kay, a member of Oakville-Trafalgar, says proceeds will go to help Rotary youth pro jects in our local community. "Everybody already knows about Rotary International, and the great work the organization does worldwide. We want to make sure that people in our area see first-hand what we support. Last year's Auction managed to raise $75,000, which the three clubs were able to divide up and put into special projects. We have taken a focus on youth this year, and some of the money raised will go towards pro jects that the clubs want to get involved with, or are already run ning." The three participating Oakville clubs are involved in a number of youth programs. Oakville West, for instance, counts the YMCA, Ian Anderson House, Camp Enterprise, Youth Exchange, Oakville Awards for Academic Excellence (Scholarships), the Sparky Dog Program, Dreams Take Flight and the Artificial Limbs Program among its pro jects. Oakville North supports the Big Sisters/Big Brothers After School Tutoring Program, Camp Enterprise, the Big Brothers Soap Box Derby, Munn's School Breakfast Program, RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and provides university scholarship bursaries. Oakville-Trafalgar is also involved with RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), as well as Camp Enterprise, the Shadow Program, INTERACT, Dreams Take Flight and scholarships for Oakville high school students. Future columns will take a look at some of these projects in action. Hundreds of practical, valuable and much-desired products and services have already been donated by community-minded local businesses - and judging from past experience, there will undoubt edly be some great buys! Key sponsors so far on board include A-1 Air Conditioning, Cogeco, Lockwood Chrysler, Tim Hortons, The Oakville Beaver, Computer Network Services, Parmalat and the Toronto Dominion Bank Financial Group. Whether you phone in your bid from the comfort of your living room or surf the Internet Auction at work and click to bid, shopping will be simple, fast and fun. Mark November 24 & 25 on your calendar now. Your support means Rotary can help even more people in our local community! Jennifer Kay is promotions chair for this year' s Auction. Vanessa Pastoric, daughter's health to advances in cancer research and treat ment, made possible through donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. Vanessa will be modeling in the second annual Cause and Affection Fashion Show and Silent Auction on Thursday Nov. 2nd at the Le Dome Banquet Hall, ll 73 North Service Rd. E., starting at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from this show will go to the Childhood Cancer Foundation Candlelighters Canada, a national volunteer charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families dealing with child hood cancer by providing resources, parent support and promotion of research. About 1,400 children are diagnosed with some form of cancer each year. Currently, 10,000 children across Canada are living with cancer and its long-term effects. Vanessa will be on stage with other childhood cancer survivors, modeling clothing from David Findlay, PJ's Original Clothing Co., and Chelsea Hats and Knit Wear. Entertainment will be pro vided by the band September. Cause and Affection is an Oakville-based organization of women entrepreneurs, who have chosen the Candlelighters as this year's recipient of their annual fashion show. Last year's show proceeds went to breast cancer research. "Cancer effects so many people's lives and with this support from our fashion show and fundraiser many families of children with cancer will be supported," says Jennifer Orlando, spokesperson for Cause and Affection. "This is a wonderful oppor tunity to help those in the com munity," adds Susan Pedersen, owner of David Findlay and spokesperson for Cause and Affection. Tickets for the Cause and Affection Fashion Show and Silent Auction are $40, and are available at David Findlay, 96 Dunn St., call 337-7183. T U p lH o ttb tiA the OAKVILLE BEffER WC S I T S L E E OCOGECO 1