"Have you seen Dane?"

Before you panic, we haven't lost Dane. "Have you seen Dane?" is my play on words for this week ... yep, he is officially a celebrity.

Starting today the direct mail letter from CancerCare Manitoba is arriving in Manitobans' mailboxes. The letter is being sent to about 40,000 households and we know it's out there because Canada Post delivered ours today. It seemed fitting that Dane was the one who opened this one piece of mail tonight. Below is the link to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation website, specifically "Dane's Story" (this is the same copy as in the direct mail letter).

www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=534

Starting this Saturday, a piece will also be running in the WFP for about six weeks. I find it to be a striking ad - the picture of Dane is a real close-up and definitely elicits emotion.

The 30 second TV spot is "in the can" (journalist language) and should start running on CTV by the middle of next week. Ashley and Dane did a wonderful job at the rink and performing a spinal tap on the puppet at CancerCare with their favorite Child Life Specialist. They definitely look like future doctors or scientists. There will also be a 60 second spot on the Foundation's website and I will post both links once they are available.

This entire experience has been a lot of things to our family. Although Dane was resistant, he seems to be quite pleased with the finished products and even went so far as to admit he likes the pictures they chose of him. The team working on this project went out of their way to include Ashley and that was wonderful as she has often felt like the odd person out during this incredibly tough ten month journey. Clare has been the "gerber" baby and her mild mannered personality has been the topic of much conversation. Although Dirk has had more of a supporting role, he has been very engaged in the whole process and I very much appreciate his patience. For me this undertaking was more "therapy". A chance to return to my journalist roots while being altruistic and another reminder that when life gives you BIG, FAT lemons, you work damn hard to turn them into a meaningful pitcher of lemonade.

The "bonus" of this project is the CTV producer nominated Dane to be "Sports Star of the Week". The station is taking video footage of his game tomorrow night and then interviewing he and Dirk next Monday. I don't know exactly when it will run but again I will keep folks posted via the blog. He's #19 (Big Joe Thornton's #).

Dane is on his off-week for appointments. Everything went smoothly last Tuesday and all his blood counts are holding. He's still on 100% of the chemo dosages and goes back to the Clinic next Tuesday for his bi-weekly blood work.

Until next time, take care ... Janie and Dirk