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

There are no local pediatric care facilities, so kids have to travel to Sacramento, San Francisco, Palo Alto, or Oakland for treatment.

Recognizing the financial hardship this places on families during this difficult time, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser was held, with the money going toward Lodi families to assist in the costs associated with traveling for treatment, but not covered by insurance. The fund was a benefactor of the American Legion Post 22 of Lodi, and the Florsheim Brothers Foundation of Stockton, CA. Our annual spaghetti dinner is still the primary fundraiser for the fund.

The fund also receives grants from corporate donors, foundations, local clubs, civic organizations, and private individuals. In 2001, the fund expanded to cover families residing in all of San Joaquin County. In 2006, we expanded into Stanislaus County thanks to the generosity of the Florsheim Brothers 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) non-profit corporation.

To date, the fund has distributed over $95,000 to area families.

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

Jim Meidinger

• Retired
• Summer volunteer - Camp Ronald McDonald
• Coordinator - food and beverage for fundraiser
• Member - American Legion Post 22

Norma Slayback

• Grandmother and Mom
• Preschool office manager
• Coordinator of corporate and institutional fundraising

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 16 years old and 8 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 page, fill it out, then e-mail or fax it to us.