Our Ongoing Journey

A new blog direction

Tore — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:13:00 GMT

Wow, it's been a while. Again.

I've decided to move my personal blogging to a new location. This blog should be for Foundation events and information. I'll still post the occasional things there but mostly my own writing will be at http://hatlen.typepad.com/blog/ .

There should be news about a summer golf Tournament coming in the next week or so. Please check back.

A new year, a new start?

Tore — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:25:00 GMT

Well, another New Year looms. I'm not that fond of the new year coming along. It just makes it seem like everything that has been lost is that much farther in the past. It's been a difficult year in many ways. Sorting through emotions and loss is not easy and it's proven to be a particularly difficult thing to do the last 12 months.

It's been a year of ups and downs. I am thankful to my family and friends for their support, guidance and the occasional kick in the ass.

2010 should be the year for a new start and a fresh beginning for Allie and I. I look forward to seeing how things turn out.

Tore and Allie.

A Podcast Intro

Tore — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:44:00 GMT

CFL Fans fighting Cancer

Tore — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:16:00 GMT

Merry Christmas to you all,

Today Cheryl and I met with Brian Wawryshyn. He's a high school classmate of Kathie's but is also the local representative for an organization that spans across Canada, CFL Fans Fight Cancer. For the uninformed, CFL is the Canadian Football League and the local fans in the Vancouver area have been working hard raising money through poker tournaments, tailgate parties at BC Lions home games and at other events. Sounds like a fun way to raise some money to help out cancer research.

Today, Brian present us with $2533 raised over the last 2 years!

I want to thank all the Fans that have donated and to Brian for thinking of Hannah's Heroes.

Wine Tasting Fundraiser!

Tore — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:39:00 GMT

Fundraiser and Christmas Cards

Tore — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:25:00 GMT

2009 Fall Fundraiser
I would like to report that the fundraiser held on Nov 7, 2009 was a big success. We have had nothing but good feedback from everyone that attended. Everyone had a great time and most will be back again next year. There were lots of great silent auction items and Bobby Bruce did a tremendous performance.

We're estimating about $12,000 raised!

Hannah's Heroes Holiday Cards are here!
Drawn by her 2006 Kindergarten class , these cards are holiday classics.

$12 a package for 12 individually drawn cards. Envelopes included, blank inside.

Every year the same 12 kids from Hannah Hatlen's 2006 Tsawwassen Kindergarten class draw a holiday card to raise funds to fight children's brain cancer. So far these kids have raised over $10,000!

This years theme is "Elves with presents."

These generous and creative kids have managed to raise over $10,000 in the last 4 years with their artwork.
We will have a table in Granville Island Market this weekend Nov.21 and
22 and Next weekend Nov. 27, 28 and 29.

We also take corporate orders! If your company sends out cards, this is a great way to spread the holiday cheer while supporting a great cause. We can drop off large orders.

All funds raised are given to Child and Family Research Institute here
at BC Children's Hospital on behalf of Hannah's Heroes.

3rd Annual Hannah’s Heroes Fall Fundraiser

Tore — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:10:25 GMT

Well, it’s been a long time since I wrote anything here and I really should have posted this sooner.

We are holding out 3rd annual Fall FUNdraiser on Saturday Nov 7th at the Tsawwassen Golf and Country Club. Tickets are now on sale at the Run Inn store in Tsawwassen or by email at torehatlen@hannahsheroes.com or by phone at 604-816-2647. Tickets are $25 and include a burger and a drink (beer/wine/soda).

Nearly Neil will be performing for us again this year and we have DJ Little D to fill in some time with dance music. There will be a silent auction and 50/50 draw and more! Some of our items this year include: Signed Trevor Linden Jersey’s, Wine Baskets, clothing, and more!

Pick up tickets while they are available!

If you have any donations you’d like to make for the silent auction, please contact me at the email address or phone number above. We’d love to hear from you and your support would mean a lot.

ALL proceeds from this and every fundraiser we do, goes to support cancer research at BC Children’s Hospital.

Proclamations from the Mayors

Tore — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:24:00 GMT

HI everyone,

I wanted to let people know that we have received Proclamations from the City of Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver declaring September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The text from the District of North Vancouver:

PROCLAMATION

“Childhood Cancer Awareness Month”

(September 2009)

WHEREAS: childhood cancer is the number one killer disease of children in North America, killing more children between the ages of one and twenty than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS combined. It is the second leading cause of death during childhood, exceeded only by accidents;

WHEREAS: every year, more than 850 children aged 0 - 14 are diagnosed with cancer in Canada;

WHEREAS: every year in Canada over 150 children under the age of 20 lose their lives to cancer;

WHEREAS: every year over 140 children are diagnosed with cancer at BC Children’s Hospital;

WHEREAS: our children are our most precious resource; and,

NOW THEREFORE: in recognition of support of the patients, families, and professionals leading the fight against childhood cancer, I, Richard Walton, Mayor of The District of North Vancouver, do hereby proclaim September 2009 as “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” in the District of North Vancouver, and recognize the gold ribbon as a symbol of childhood cancer. I encourage all citizens to join the fight against childhood cancer.

I'll try to get the Vancouver one up later tonight. It's a little bigger but covers the same ground. I'm waiting for word back from the other municipalities in the Metro Vancouver area. The Province of BC should be making an announcement next week for this. I'm waiting for the Federal Government to respond however.

I was also interviewed on Talk 1410 AM this morning by Simi Sara regarding Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I'm going to see if there is any way to get a recording of it so I can post it here.

Have a great weekend!

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Tore — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:15:35 GMT

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. So let’s make sure people know it. Wear gold. Tell people about it. Spread the word. Talk to your gov’t representative, both local, and federal.

This is a time of year that in enter with some trepidation. With this being an Awareness month for the cancer that took Hannah’s life followed by the month both Hannah and Kathie passed away in, I’m sure you can understand why. I think October is even Breast cancer awareness month. Something that Kathie was diagnosed with.

Normally I really like the fall. The cool crispness, a fresh smell in the air, the sounds of a strong wind in the trees, the anticipation of winter. I still enjoy all those thing, just a little less.

We recently had a meeting of our foundation board. Things are ramping up for the fundraiser on Nov 7th. We hope to have tickets on sale soon. Stay tuned for more information on how and where to get tickets. We are also getting ready for our Christmas cards. That project us getting planned and we are excited by that. We also have a website revamp in the works. Soon you’ll see some changes happening there as well.

I think that’s all I have the energy and mood for tonight. I’ll try to be updating this a little more regularly as we get closer to the fundraiser.

Take Care.

A Return to Anaheim

Tore — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:50:00 GMT

Hi there,

This time I'm writing from a hotel overlooking Disneyland. Last time that happened was a year and a half ago. It was a different time. We were celebrating a wedding and Kathie was still here. I wandered down to Downtown Disney after I checked in at the hotel and it was strange to be there on my own. I remembered being there first with Hannah, Kathie, Dorothy and my family. Then being there last year with Kathie, Allie and the Hamilton clan for Brian and Corine's wedding. There were many memories that made me a little sad. I can remember Hannah dancing in front of Tortilla Joes after dinner, and shopping at Build a Bear with Allie and Kathie. It was strange to be walking around on my own but at the same time, it was good to be back there and have the first trip back. I do want to go back with Allie sometime so it was OK to get it done on my own.

Now I'm here to attend Blizzcon. It's fan convention put on by Blizzard Entertainment for fans of the games the company makes. I'm not quite sure what I'm expecting but from what I saw wandering around the area today, it will be a strange, wonderful ride. I'll try to get on and write a little of my experiences through the weekend.

As a reminder, we have the foundations fall fundraiser coming on Nov 7th. put that date aside. we'll be making some announcement soon.

tore

Summer wears on…

Tore — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:07:46 GMT

Well, it’s been a couple of weeks since I was last writing a message here. My blog production is way down this year and I’d like to try to change that. Of course that means finding about 3 more hours in the day. That’s so that I can do all the other things I’d like to do as well.

I had a great time in San Diego at Comic Con and will probably do it again next year. A few friends have expressed interest in going so it might just mean a road trip with the guys. It’s a good place to go with a small group of friends. Lots to do as a group and lots of things to do on your own as well. I picked up a few goodies and spent more then I probably should have but it was all worth it. Han and Luke look good in their Storm Trooper armour next to Green Lantern and Captain Rex. And I have added lots of good books and comics to my collection and to Allie’s bookshelf. I made a point of looking around for books/comics and stuff that was good for Allie. And I found quite a bit.

The Fall is fast approaching and it’s going to be time for our fall FUNDraiser on Nov 7th. Set that date aside so that you can be there to enjoy the fun. We are starting to work out details and will be letting everyone know what’s happening as soon as we do.

We’ve been having a good summer, Allie has been busy with different camps and just enjoying the summer weather. We’re doing OK I suppose but of course miss Kathie and Hannah very much. Time hasn’t really healed our wounds, just made them hurt a little less. There are still times that aren’t good. Mostly for me. Allie’s moments are short and don’t seem very sad, just more like she missed out on something fun. That I’m sure will change as she gets older and starts to want/miss/need having a Mom around.

Anyway, it’s getting late and I do need/want to get to bed. Look for more updates on our fundraiser coming soon.

San Diego here I come!

Tore — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:13:22 GMT

Hi There,

I will be flying down to San Diego tomorrow to attend the San Diego Comic-Con. It's a huge convention all about popular entertainment. Movies, Comics, TV, Toys, Games and more will be on display, talked about, bought and sold. This is the first time I have gone to this show.

I'm hoping to have some interesting news when I get back about a project I am working on over at www.isitrightforkids.com. I will try to post updates as I can and upload some pictures as well.

Cheers.

Moving into Summer

Tore — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:19:00 GMT

Well, OK, Summer is already here.

Yes, it's been a month since I last posted anything but I've not been in the right state of mind to do so. I did want to report that BC Children's Hospital Foundation has posted the info on our Fellowship.

The information about the competition is posted at BC Children and Family Research Institute under Targeted funding competitions. - go to "click here" to read the funding announcement. The deadline for applications is July 3rd. The applications will then be sent for review. Decisions will be announced later in the summer with the funding to take effect September 1, 2009.

So the application deadline has passed but I only got the link a couple of days ago and the interested parties have known about it for while. It will be interesting to see how unfolds and we're looking forward to it getting started.

I'm glad that June has ended and we can move into July and summer. I'm not a huge summer person. I much prefer cooler temperatures and don't mind some rain. Plus the fall is a time of year that I enjoy. Though not so much the last two weeks of October.

I'm going to be heading down to San Diego in just under 3 weeks for Comic-Con. I'm really looking forward to the trip and have started to prepare for the trip. There will be lots for me to see and do there and I'm sure but the time it's all over, I'll be exhausted but will have had fun.

Allie has a busy summer with some kind of program happening almost every week. Swimming, dancing, cooking and day camps will keep her busy.

On another personal note, I've started a new website, Is It Right For Kids. This site will focus on doing reviews of movies, TV shows, comics, video games, and books by a parent for other parents. I have always had trouble finding reviews and information on what kinds of entertainment might be suitable for Allie. Is it to violent, to scary, does it have bad language, are all things I'd like to keep to a minimum. So I decided to start review those things on my own and letting other parents know if I though that thing would be good for kids around Allie's age or any age for that matter. Check it out and leave me some feedback. If you'd like to submit a review of your own, let me know.

Cheers for now,

Tore

Family Fuze Event at Vancouver Art Gallery and Relay for Life

Tore — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Hi there,
I wanted to post an event that is taking place this weekend. Well, there are two actually.

First off, My sister-in-law Cheryl and her business partner Mike are taking part in an event at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Here are the details:

Hello Everyone!
Imagine a Utopian world where you are surrounded by art and music all day long. People of all ages are sharing ideas, creating and dancing together.

Sounds good eh?

ie creative is planning on just that vision becoming a reality this weekend at "Family Fuse" at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
We will be installing a sculpture as part of this 2 day event.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is proud to launch “Family FUSE Weekend,” a two-day extravaganza of art and interactive activities the whole family will enjoy. The Gallery’s first Family FUSE Weekend will explore “the City” with 22 family-friendly activities in and around the Gallery,
including: 17th century street games, Parkour, and much, much more, outdoor walks, sound and animation workshops, mural-making, films and music and of course, the Gallery’s summer exhibitions round out the perfect family weekend.

Oh, and bring your dancing shoes and join us on dj little d's dance floor on saturday.

Cheryl and Mike

And this weekend is the Relay for Life in Delta. Hannah's Heroes will be there. Hope to see you as well. Our Team page is Relay for Life team page. Join up if you can make it.

Cheers,
Tore

Happy 8th Birthday Hannah

Tore — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:15:49 GMT

Dear Hannah,

Well, today you’d be 8 years old. Your actual birth time was 10:00pm on June 5, 2001. You took your time arriving but it was worth every minute spent in uncomfortable hospital chairs and eating vending machine food to keep us going.

I’ve missed you quite a bit the last few weeks. It’s your first birthday without your Mom so it’s got me sad. As I’ve mentioned before June ranks right up with October for months I could just as well do without. This year, the sadness is a little more like an empty feeling. I’m sure it will eventually pass but I don’t think that the passing of time will make this day any easier. We’re doing OK I suppose. It’s hard to know sometimes but things haven’t fallen apart completely so I take that as a good sign.

Allie and I will do something a little special today, just not sure what quite yet. Perhaps a balloon release or something similar. You’ll know it when it happens. I don’t think I can write anymore so I’ll just say good-bye for now.

Lots of Love

Daddy and Allie

Can I just skip June?

Tore — Mon, 25 May 2009 04:57:04 GMT

Well, we're just about a week away from June. My 2nd least favorite month after October. June has 3 dates that I'm not looking forward to. Two of them more then the third. First up is Hannah's Birthday on June 5, then it's Father's Day June 21st, and then Kathie and my wedding Anniversary on June 24th.

Hannah would have been 8 years old. Not a real milestone birthday but another birthday missed. Allie is now 4 years old and that's how old Hannah was when she was diagnosed. Four years ago, life was pretty good. Life's still not to bad, it's just changed to a place I would never have imagined. This is one of the two days I'm looking forward to least.

Father's day will be OK, better I think then Mother's Day, at least from my perspective. Allie has her Father, she didn't have her Mother a couple of weeks ago. She did make due with Grandmothers so there is that. For me, I will still have Allie to be with on Father's Day. But I'm lucky enough to have a Father's Day just about every day. Still, I will miss my Hannah and Kathie to be there with me.

Kathie and I would have been married for 9 years next month. Sometimes I think we decided to get married in 2000 so it would be easy to keep track of how many years each anniversary. It's far to short a time, but we did have a good 8 1/4 years. Well, let me rephrase that. We had a good 5 years, then it started to have some bumps in the road. I had no idea that "Till Death do you part" would happen quite so soon. I was hoping it would be another 40+ years in the future.

All that being said however, I'm doing OK. Still having some rough patches here and there. Allie as well. It's hard to know exactly how she's doing. I don't have the skills to psychoanalyze a child. I know she misses Kathie more then Hannah but she does miss Hannah. It's just that she didn't know Hannah as well, Allie was only 18 months when Hannah passed away. So she doesn't have a lot of memories of her own. With Kathie, there are lots of memories.

On the plus side, it's been a good fundraising month for the foundation. Our Golf Tournament raised over $12000, another $5000 donated through Orb clothing and Allie's dance studio, Deas Island Dance is holding a raffle with proceeds coming to the foundation. The Grand Prize is a week's accommodation at a 5star resort in Mexico, second prize is a signed Canucks Jersey and 3rd prize is a a 16Gb iPod Touch. If you're interested in getting a ticket, let me know. 1for $5 and 3 for $10. Final Draw is on June 7th.

Allie's has her big end of the year dance show coming in a couple of weeks. They are doing Mary Poppins. And before you ask, Allie is not playing Mary Poppins or the little girl Jane. She's in a dance number with her other classmates but perhaps in a few year, she will be the star.

Well, It's time for me to head off to bed. So that's it for tonight.

Take Care,

Tore and Allie

A good month for the Foundation

Tore — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:18:46 GMT

Hey Everyone,

Well, the results are in and we had a good event. We raised over $12,000 at the golf tournament! I want to thank everyone that attended the event, was a sponsor or donated an item for the auction or as a prize. We had a great turnout and everyone had lots of fun. We're looking forward to a bigger and better event next year! Hope to see you there!

We also have to thank Orb/Arson clothing for their support. They had a big sale this past weekend and were taking donation from customers. The company matched the donations and they are donating $5000 to the Foundation this week! Thank you very much!

Our next event is the Jog for a Jug/Mug with the Run Inn on June 20th. More information visit here.

We will be having out Fall fundraiser on Nov 7th this year. Keep that Saturday open! Bobby "Nearly Neil" Bruce will again be performing!

More info coming soon on our upcoming events.

Thanks and good night!

Tore

Fun, fabulous Fundraiser!!

Tore — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:39:05 GMT

Well, we have our first annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser on May 2nd and it was awesome!. We had a good turnout, fun round of golf, great food, wonderful auction items, a night that will be the talk of the town for weeks and months to come.

The weather was pretty good with some overcast and the occasional light drizzle. The big rain held off until the evening so the golfing was good.

All in all, it was a great night. We had great feedback and everyone I spoke with was enjoying themselves.

Thanks to everyone that helped pull this together.

Thanks to all our sponsors and donors.

Thanks to everyone that came out to make this a success.

See you all for the Hannah's Heroes Fall Classic Pub night on Nov 7, 2009. More coming on that great event. But a little teaser.... We have Nearly Neil himself making a return appearance!

Tore

An article in the local paper and a 4th birthday wish

Tore — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:49:33 GMT

Hi there,

There was a good article in our local newspaper this weekend. You can read it here:

http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/southdeltaleader/community/42352382.html

And A big Happy Birthday to Allie!! She turns 4 years old. I couldn't be prouder of her. She had lots of fun at her birthday party with all her friends. Thanks everyone for coming and thanks to everyone for helping out!

Research Fellowship Established with $35,000 donation!

Tore — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:25:57 GMT

I am very proud to announce that The Hannah's Heroes Foundation has donated $35,000 to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation to establish a Research Fellowship that will focus on finding the causes of and ways to treat pediatric brain tumors.
This is the culmination of 18+ months of work by our foundation and is thanks to the very generous donations by friends, family and our community.
I want to Thank everyone that has helped out.

This is a huge accomplishment for our foundation. And I'm personally very proud to have made this happen. Unfortunately Kathie couldn't be here to see it happen but I know she is looking down with Hannah and is proud as well. A lot of this is her doing. She was instrumental in getting the foundation started.

A personal thanks to the other members of our board that helped to make this happen. We're not all in the picture unfortunately, but a big thanks to you all.