Memorial Tree

Shan went to camp oochigeas the camp for kids with cancer. She went on the weekend, it was just for siblings who have lost a brother or sister to cancer. This is one of the camps that the Ride for Karen sponsors. Shan had a great time there and made lots of new friends. We are so proud to be a part of sending these kids to this incredible camp. The pictures from the ride for Karen are on there website if your interested in checking them out, go to http://www.rideforkaren.com/ Shan, Karen and I went out to camp ooch a couple of weeks earlier for the James funds first annual Neuroblastoma retreat weekend. This was a very hard trip for Karen and I to make, being so close to Shania's passing, but we felt that we had to be there. We arrived Friday night to a very warm welcome by the volunteers who helped everyone unpack there vehicles, get registered and parked. Once we were settled in to our room we walked over to the meeting lodge, which is in front of there lake, this was an incredible sight to see with the full moon reflecting off of the glass still water, and a mist rising over top, it gave it a magical feel to this amazing camp. It was great to see the Neuroblastoma families, Doctors and staff that we had met at Sick Children's Hospital . The Birrell family and all of the volunteers made this weekend a special one for the Neuroblastoma families. Shan had a great time playing the camp games, getting dressed up and doing all the crafts that the councilors had set up for them. We left early Sunday to go down to the Rock Gardens at the Royal Botanical Gardens and placed a stone from Camp Ooch by the Fairy Princes Falls. Shania would have loved to been at the James Fund retreat and we felt that this was a way to bring a bit of Camp Ooch to her. The Rock gardens are closed for the season now until next spring, but we are planning on going to the RBG on Shania's birthday and maybe have a picnic with Shania's favorite meal Loblaws Chicken and wedgies. They have paths through the wooded trails there and you can feed the birds and squirrels right from your hands. Hopefully the weather is good. Reesor Park School is having a memorial tree planting ceremony for Shania on Monday November 5Th, they are going to have a large garden stone with an engraving saying "In honour of Shania Ida Johnston our Sunflower of Hope Nov 07 1998-July 19 2007" It will be at the front entrance of the school. The tree will be a Serviceberry, which has beautiful white spring flowers and is very fragrant. Thank you Reesor Park School/community/family for honouring our Shania in this way. Shania would be very proud of this honour. This school was her home away from home, she loved everything about it, She wanted to be a teacher when she grew up and I think this is a reflection of this School and its beautiful people. Karen,Shannon and I are looking forward to going out to peterborough this weekend to do the Walk/Run for the James Fund. If anyone is interested in sponsoring us for this great cause go to http://www.runningroom.com/
Take care
Love Shayne,Karen and Shannon

Proud to be a big sister

Shania cuddling her little sister on her birthday August 17, 2001. Shania was so excited to be a big sister, she couldn't wait to see Shannon and hold her, it was such a site to see. She had to wait 9 month and she could hardly contain herself.

Kids Believe in Sick Kids award

Another milestone has come and gone. Thanksgiving was yesterday and we had a lovely turkey dinner at Shania and Shannons Nanna And Grampas house (Sherry and George), GG(Great Grandma Marg)was there also. After dinner we went and played soccer at the park and then came back and watched High School Musical 2 on TV. All I could think about was how much Shania would of loved this day. Playing with her Grandparents and Sister, getting out my moms wooden fruits and giving them to everyone. Having fun chasing there dog Dukie around the house. Shania loved the movie High School Musical 1 so she would have been so excited about seeing number 2 over and over again. We also had dinner at Grampa, Grandma and Auntie Dan Dans(Dennis, Sandra and my sister Danielle) house on Sunday and had just as special of a time there also. These milestones are very sad and happy occasions at the same time. We are sad because we miss Shania so much and we are happy to have all of these fond memories of our Shania. It's a mix of emotions. As the days (82 to be exact) have turned into months since Shania passed away. It doesn't feel like the pain has diminished, it only seems like it is more bearable now. Shannon talks about Shania all the time still, as do Karen and I. It comforts us to know that we will never forget our Shania. I am playing Shania's favorite classical CD right now "Loves first glow". It's fitting that this would be the name of her favorite CD because Shania had such a love for life and for everyone. She was like the brightest shooting star that lit up our lives with this intense love and joy, it has left a glow in our heart's that can't be forgotten. She taught us how life is meant to be lived.

This is a letter we received from Michael O'Mahoney at Sick Kids Foundation about there humanitarian awards

Dear Mr and Mrs Johnston

I am so sorry that you recently lost your daughter, Shania. Please accept my sincere condolences. There is no one whose passing hurts as much as one's beloved child -especially when it happens far too soon. I wish that I had an opportunity to meet Shania, the amount of passion and determination she exhibited in her short life is truly inspiring. At SickKids, we are energized by the enthusiasm of our youth who proactively participate in fundraising, and we try to recognize their efforts by hosting an annual "Kids Believe in Sick Kids Awards. At this event, we honour the top fundraisers in three categories. As you well know, despite battling her own cancer, Shania worked very hard to raise money for SickKids and the James Fund. I am so pleased to inform you that Shania will be recognized as the 2007 Top Fundraising Individual. The 2007 Kids Believe in SickKids Awards will take place on November 20TH, And hope that you will both be able to join us to represent Shania and her incredible philanthropic spirit. Before the ceremony, we would like to arrange a convenient time when we could film you, your family, and perhaps one or two of your daughter's friends talking about Shania and her tremendous efforts to support SickKids. I regret that we were unable to recognize Shania as the recipient of this award before her passing, but I do hope that you will both be able to join us so that we can celebrate your little girl's wonderful spirit and hard work.

Sincerely,
Michael O'Mahney
President

Thank you for this lovely letter Michael it will be our honour to represent Shania at this ceremony. She would have been so proud of this award, not only for herself but also for all of her friends that helped and continue to help her with her dream to find a cure so that no other children have to suffer from this horrible disease.

I will always believe in Shania I will I will!!!
I will always believe in Shania I will I will!!!!!!!!
I will always believe in Shania I will I will!!!!!!!!!!!!!
with love that's true,
Shayne,Karen,Shannon and Whiskey