Our family’s world changed forever when our seven year old son Dane Hantscher was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2009. The early months of his diagnosis were overwhelming and terrifying. His treatment began immediately and the toll the various drugs have taken on his body, mind and spirit these past three years have been heart wrenching. Everyone who knows and loves Dane has been affected by his cancer journey – a journey that unfortunately affects far too many innocent children. This is the terribly hard part of Dane’s story.

Now ten, Dane is in the home stretch of his 40 month (yes 40!) leukemia treatment. In May we will celebrate him beating cancer and returning to a life without chemotherapy, spinal taps, steroids, daily medications and fatigue. We can barely contain our emotions when we think about Dane once again being just like all his classmates, friends and teammates – a healthy kid! This is the wonderfully positive part of Dane’s story.

During the past three years there have been a few constants in our lives - family, friends, hockey and CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB). The first three helped raise all our spirits and provided tremendous support when we needed it. And CCMB, well the amazing doctors, nurses and child-life specialists saved our son’s life and we will be forever grateful for the care provided to Dane. Supporting Dane’s medical team is the CCMB Foundation. The dedicated individuals working for the Foundation raise funds for childhood cancer clinical trials (research) and programs that make life more comfortable for all these special kids. Thirty years ago the childhood leukemia survival rate was less than 30 percent but thanks to tremendous research Dane’s odds are nearly 90 percent.

As Dane’s parents it’s impossible to adequately say “thank you” to CCMB but that is not going to stop us from trying! On May 26, 2012 we are going to bring together our family, friends and hopefully many other supporters to raise funds for this unbelievable organization. The day is going to feature a charity hockey game and a social, with all proceeds being donated to the Foundation. This is where we hope you can be a support to Dane’s story.

“Dane’s Dream” Hockey Game – Saturday May 26, 11:00 am – Southdale Arena
Prior to Dane’s diagnosis, he was a solid 7/8 house league hockey player. That season came to an abrupt end when he was diagnosed with cancer. Watching him have to give up the sport he loved was devastating. Although he was not playing, his passion for the game remained just as intense and his motivation to rejoin his teammates sustained us all. After eight months of brutal treatment, Dane hit the ice in the fall of 2009 and was successful in his attempt to play 8A1 – the highest level of hockey for his age group. He repeated this accomplishment in the falls of 2010 and 2011 with his selection to Fort Garry 9A1 and 10A1 teams. Watching him fight through the effects of treatments is inspiring and even more satisfying is the enjoyment he gets from spending time with his many teammates. These young kids have enhanced his quality of life and so it’s only fitting they lace up alongside him in his quest to raise funds for the Foundation.

“Dane’s Dream” Social – Saturday May 26, 8:00 p.m. – Holy Cross Hall
And because every celebration needs a great party, “Dane’s Dream” social will enable us to share our excitement that our son is finished treatment at the same time that we are fundraising for CCMB. Tickets can be purchased by emailing hantscher@shaw.ca or calling 475-0872.

Please show your support by coming out to the event as well as considering a gift to Cancercare Manitoba Foundation by clicking on this “Donate Now Button”.

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Thank you so very much in advance for supporting “Dane’s Dream” so that all children diagnosed with leukemia will thrive and survive!

Sincerely,
Jane & Dirk