The Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation preserves the memory of Evan Ty Jenkins by making a difference for all children and families affected by heart disease and/or stroke. Our mission is to treasure cardiac children and support their journey through research, education and stroke prevention. The Foundation has established the following objectives:
- To gift funds to qualified donees as defined in subsection 149.1 (1) of the Income Tax Act.
- Establish and fund a Treasure Life Bead program at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton to recognize procedures administered to all cardiac children under admission at the Hospital. (This is similar to the Bravery Beads program administered at the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital and many cancer bead programs being delivered at hospitals in Canada).
- Develop Treasure Logs (patient diaries), so that families can track their children’s journey with heart disease. These can be a valuable tool for health care practitioners in tracking or monitoring patient progress and will provide a lasting legacy to the patient and families.
- Educate the public about pediatric heart disease and stroke prevention, treatment options and post-operative care utilizing such things as school programs, media, brochures, letters and the Treasure Life website.
- Fund specialized medical equipment for pediatric heart patients for low income families on as needed basis. This may include oximeters and INR machines which are critical to patient care but not now funded by health care.
- Fund affordable accommodation options for families in need of financial assistance, especially for families whose children are in long-term care situations such as heart transplant and/or stroke.
Our Goal
The Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation works with Alberta Health Services in Edmonton, Alberta, which is Canada’s largest health region and is affiliated with the University of Alberta, and specifically with the Directors of the Stollery Children’s Hospital located in Edmonton, Alberta, to reduce morbidity and mortality in children who have congenital or acquired heart disease and reduce the risk of stroke-related incidents through enhanced understanding of the conditions, treatment options and risks; through enhanced communication between health care professionals and between health care professionals and families; and through enhanced treatment and care of the cardiac patient.
Our Team
The Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation (o/a Treasure Life) consists of a dedicated group committed to ensuring the Foundation achieves its goals and objectives:
Charlene Jenkins (President)
Charlene has 30 years experience in Recreation Facility Management. Also community-minded, Charlene has volunteered on many boards for sport and community purposes including volunteering with the Children’s Heart Society.
Charlene already had first-hand experience with a child born with a congenital heart defect before she became mom to Kari and Shauna and “Mama” to Evan and 9 other grandchildren. Charlene and Rick’s first child, Kristi Erin, was born on November 17, 1977, with a single ventricle condition very similar to Evan’s. Surgery was not an option in Canada at that time and Kristi survived only two days.
After losing both a child and a grandchild, Charlene is dedicated to improving and extending the lives of children with complex cardiac conditions.
Shauna Jenkins (Advisor)
The importance of pediatric care, particularly for children born with congenital heart defects, became forefront in Shauna’s life on May 30th, 1999, when she became Evan’s mommy. Since then, ensuring the care of all cardiac children has been an important part of her life. Shauna has served as a Director for the Children’s Heart Society and was also a volunteer with the Victims’ Assistance Program.
Shauna is committed to preserving the memory of Evan by promoting the importance of valuing life through Treasure Life and leaving a lasting legacy for Evan’s brother, Marcus , sister Chloe and little brother Cruz. She is very interested in working with the Stollery Children’s Hospital to raise awareness and develop research programs to pursue the objectives of the Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation.
Judy Chapman (Vice President)
Judy is Evan’s “Nana” and she has volunteered for over 15 years in the school system, from kindergarten to high school. Working closely with teachers and other parents has given Judy an understanding of the importance of working together for a better cause.
Judy’s career includes 10 years in purchasing, 5 years in communications and 20 years in sales. Evan’s daddy Darren and Papa Bill share Judy’s passion and drive for the Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation. Evan and children like Evan need not have passed away in vain. Judy is committed to bring about change in pediatric stroke prevention.
Donna Burns (Treasurer)
Donna brings over 20 years of accounting experience to our board. Donna works in Edmonton’s financial community and she owns a small public practice firm. As a CPA/CMA, Donna has extensive experience providing services to small business, government and not for profit agencies. Donna is detail oriented and she drives the board’s commitment to exceptional financial management and reporting.
Donna resides in Beaumont with her husband and their two adult children. She enjoys working out and cycling in the MS Bike Tour.
Pam Palmer (Secretary)
Pam and her husband Derrick have three grown children and both are pleased to volunteer with The Treasure Life. Pam has worked in the municipal environment in the finance and guest services areas for over 20 years. She holds a business degree from Grant MacEwan University as well as many accounting and computer specialty courses. Derrick is a dedicated volunteer who never misses a Treasure Life event.
Pam’s interest’s include volunteering in her community and many physical activities including running. She completed her first half marathon in 2009.
Rick Jenkins (Director)
Rick has been in the banking, financial planning, and real estate business for over 35 years. Community conscious, he has volunteered on a number of civic boards. He is affectionately known as “Papa Rick” to his 10 grandchildren and to much of the community, too.
As Evan’s grandfather, Rick became involved in the Children’s Heart Society, where he served as a director. Rick has prepared submissions to the Provincial and Federal Government for non-profit and society status for the Evan Ty Jenkins Pediatric Research Foundation.
Rick is dedicated to fostering the importance of “Treasure Life”. He is committed to the purpose of the Foundation: to treasure cardiac children and support their health journey.
Jay Row (Director)
Jay has over 20 years of experience in public administration, including community development, organization development, project management, and program development. Let’s just say strategy creation is his forte.
Jay served on the Children’s Heart Society board for more than 10 years and was in charge of out-of-hospital events. Jay and his wife Tammy have two adult daughters, Kaylee and Kiana. Kaylee has a congenital heart defect (she is the same age as Evan) and is a Treasure Life bead specialist. Jay and his family enjoy camping, hockey, and winter destination vacations.
Virginia Slubowski (Director)
Our newest board member, Virginia, brings over 20 years of large-scale payroll, human resources, and group benefit management expertise to our leadership group. She has a special place in her heart for sick children and a love of animals. Virginia proudly boasts that one of her adult children is in the medial field supporting the tiniest and sickest of cardiac patients.
Having volunteered previously at Treasure Life events, Virginia feels the time is right to roll up her sleeves and get even more involved. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and her creativity is limitless. Virginia is committed to achieving results with Treasure Life and making a difference in the lives of cardiac kids.
Graeme Burns (Communications Advisor)
Graeme is an engaging communications professional who inspires organizations to share their stories; stories that build credibility and enhance reputation. With a background in broadcast journalism, Graeme brings objectivity and fresh perspectives to our board. He gathers and delivers important information that describes exactly what we’re up to and why your support is valued. In his leisure time, Graeme enjoys playing sports, camping, and sharing a good story.
Notable Volunteers
Ecole Bellevue School and Linda Johnson
(Bead Program Support, Bellevue School Bead Program)
Linda was Evan’s grade one teacher and takes the lead on the Bellevue School Treasure Bead Program, on an annual basis. We appreciate the participation and the teaching staff at the school for contributing to the success of this fundraiser for the bead program. A special thank-you to Trich Gabruck for all her volunteer time preparing bead materials.
Ecole Bellevue school in Beaumont hosts an annual fundraiser to support The Treasure Bead Program each May. Evan was a student at the school and his teachers with all the staff help the children to make beaded necklaces in honour of Evan and the merits of this awesome program. To date this fundraiser has contributed close to $10,000.00 supporting children at the Stollery Children’s hospital. Special thanks to Linda Johnson for taking the lead on this initiative!
Golf Tournament Volunteers
We appreciate the many volunteers who help make the annual golf tournament a success.
