The Lodi Cancer Kids fund was established in 1999 by a group of families who had in common the experience of having a child diagnosed and treated for cancer.

The fund was to provide financial assistance to area families during the time when a child is in chemotherapy or radiation treatment. There are no pediatric oncology care facilities in our area, so every family must travel to Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, or Palo Alto for treatment. This travel expense as well as time away from work often places the family in financial hardship. The fund helps pay for expenses such as gas, lodging and living expenses incurred while away from home as well as medical supplies not covered by insurance.

With over 10 years of serving area families, Lodi Cancer Kids is now recognized as a trusted resource for families going through such a difficult time. Families are usually referred to Lodi Cancer Kids by social workers from all major pediatric oncology facilities such as UCSF, Lucille Packard at Stanford, Oakland Children's Hospital, UC Davis and Sutter Cancer Center. We assist approximately 40 families every year, totaling over $250 thousand in funding over the past 10 years.

The fund receives grants from corporate donors, foundations, local clubs, civic organizations and private individuals. Our famous Spaghetti Dinner, held in September of each year, is our primary fundraiser. Major contributors include the American Legion Post 22, the Tip Your Heart Foundation, and the Safeway Foundation.

Other than minimal office expense, 100% of the money raised goes directly toward families. All of the fundraising work and management of the fund is done by volunteers. Lodi Cancer Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Don Walters - Chairman

• Wholesale Sales and Marketing of Produce
• Board of Directors - Service 1^st Bank
• Board Member - Florsheim Brothers Foundation
• Elder - Temple Baptist Church, Lodi
• Co-manages daily functions of Lodi Cancer Kids Fund

Peggy Walters - Secretary/Treasurer

• Homemaker and Mom
• Deaconess - Temple Baptist Church
• Coordinator of volunteers for fundraisers
• Co-manages daily functions of Lodi Cancer Kids Fund

Ken Kramlich

• Retired
• Former Adjutant American Legion Post 22
• Monitors fund finances
• Coordinator - food and beverage for fundraiser

Frank Schulz

• Retired
• Former Sherriff for SJ County
• Coordinator - Volunteers

Cal Kusler

• Retired
• Member American Legion Post 22
• Coordinator - prizes and sponsorships for fundraiser

Our daughter Kelsey was 7 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer in 1998, a stage 3 tumor (Rhabdomyoscarcoma) in her soft palate. Like all parents we were overwhelmed with grief and confusion upon hearing the diagnosis.

As Kelsey endured the following year of chemo and radiation at UCSF, we did as most parents do which is to face the situation head on, network with resources, and hope for the best care possible. The harsh reality was that for the first time in our life, our destiny and the life of our precious daughter was out of our control, and in the hands of God and her caregivers.

They say that a crisis will either draw you closer to God, or pull you away from him. For us our only option was to draw closer to him. We drew strength and stability knowing her life was in the hands of a loving God who we could pray to, and lean on for strength and endurance.

We knew from the Bible that God loves Kelsey, and we trusted Him to understand why this was happening to her, even though we couldn't. We placed our trust in the saving grace of Jesus, and we knew without a doubt that if Kelsey didn't survive the cancer we would all reunite in heaven someday for eternity.

God's grace and love abounded in the gift of healing, and now Kelsey is 20 years old and 12 years cancer free. During treatment we experienced miracles we would have never seen, and loving relationships with caregivers and other families we would have never known had it not been for the cancer. We experienced the power of people all over the country praying for a child they had never met, no doubt contributing to her healing. The love and faithfulness of God carried us through.

If you are a parent or child experiencing cancer and would like to know more about the love of God, the experience of peace during a time of turmoil, and the assurance of eternity in heaven, we have resources available at no charge. You can download the resource order form, fill it out, then e-mail or fax it to us.