No One Fights Alone Gala

Anita and I are in the process of writing a blog to thank everyone for Friday Nights event. We are taking care to ensure that everyone is thanked. We are trying to make sure that we say everything we wanted to say. We promise to have it done in the next few days. Nevan has a busy Hospital schedule this week as well and we are busy making this an extra special haloween.
Please see below a copy of Craigs Speech from friday night.

Good evening everyone. I hope your all having a great time tonight. I wanted to take a few moments to thank everyone who was involved in making tonight’s event possible. The list is lengthy but I think everyone deserves recognition for doing such an incredible job and anyone that knows me knows speaking fast is something I tend to excel at.

I want to start by congratulating my parents (Chris and Jane Bidner) on their 20^TH wedding anniversary this past Wednesday. This past week they had holidays booked together to celebrate this great milestone in their lives, and like so many family and friends they immediately cancelled many plans or gave up free time to ensure that Nevan and his family were taken care of first.

The last time I stood in front of a crowd this size was at our wedding over 6 years ago. I held a scrap of paper with chicken scratch on it. It was short and simple and to the point but far overshadowed by the speeches of 2 men I have come admire in my life, Chris my stepfather and Harish my father in-law. With their guidance as strong men in my life I have learned how to navigate my way through this world. Whether it be with finances, career decisions or even marital advice. I am much stronger because of their ongoing support of me and my family. They are and always will be fathers to me.

Almost 5 years ago on November 27 2007 I was humbly honored with this same title. My son Nevan Harish Langlois was born. At 29 I still felt too young to be a father but was ready for the challenge either way. It wasn’t long before a bond was made and the pride of being father to such an incredible boy started to grow. I was lucky enough to be there for his first word “coooow”, see his first smile at only a few hours old and be the first one to make him laugh by flipping through the newspaper while he lay on my lap. Being a father is an incredible journey that is the most challenging thing I have ever done and is continually the most rewarding.

Nevan is a very sweet young boy. He is always happy and looking for ways to make others happy. He is kind and gentle. He has the ability to forgive even if no apology is given. He is a very good big brother to his little sister Nylah who is much different than him but equally as sweet and good natured. I’ve watched him hold her hand, play with her without being asked or try and show her how to do something when she is at her most frustrated. He is patient, thoughtful, sharing, and generous. He is the kind person we all should aspire to be. To be humble and honest he does not get these traits from me. However many of them are the same reasons I married his mother Anita. This is why however overwhelmed I am right now I am far from surprised at the support he has received from family and friends.

On Friday July 13^th Nevan was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with Leukemia. The emotions that can arise from your child becoming ill are overwhelming to the point of shock but you deal with it. You deal with it because you have no choice. They need you and you do what is needed. The foundation for his recovery however was laid years ago by the woman who gave birth to him. She is an amazing mother to our children. Her maternal instinct and ability to nurture Nevan is a huge part of why he is now home safe with us. She deserves far more credit than I can put in one speech but everyone should know that if she had to do it alone she could have.

Nevans health is not only dependent on the amazing Doctors and Nurses at McMaster children’s hospital. He fights and one day will survive Cancer not only by the complicated and precise medicine he has constantly coursing through his veins, but by the support of his Family, friends and his community. Happiness is crucial to fighting any disease. His favorite place to be next to home is Nana and Nanimas house. He has spent much of his child hood at their house. They are also a part of why he has become the person he is today. Nevans Grandmother (Anitas Mother) NANIMA is an extremely important part of our family. Our family get-togethers are centred around the warm environment of her home, hospitality and cooking. She works the hardest of anyone in the family to ensure we are a family. All four of Nevans Grandparents give their love and undivided attention to their grandchildren. The sense of family our kids receive from them will stay with them for life. Nevan has cried out for Grandma many times recently when being asked to take medicine or clean up his mess. I would too. The medicine tastes horrible. We’ll work on the clean up routine...

Smiles also come in the dozens from time spent with Uncle Dave and Auntie Yvonne. No one horses around like Uncle or bakes like Auntie. Nevan is also very lucky to have 2 nana’s appropriately named nana #2. Nanima #2, Aunti Priyanta (who has donated a few of the awesome sports tickets and jerseys)and her brothers Keeran and Rakash. He even has a second uncle and family. Anoop, Medhini, Pooja and Aikshy. Nevan and his sister are spoiled by all of them and whenever we need anything they are there to help.

Which brings us to tonight’s event. One of the many reasons we are all here is help. We needed help, and without asking we were offered that help. This event is the fourth and final fundraiser that was suggested and carried out by people that wanted to help. They understood that having an ill child means that for a short period in time incomes must drop while both parents take the time to help their child recover. Having an ill child can also create some unanticipated expenses like extra gas for transportation to the hospital, meals, special equipment, medication not covered by plans, and 3 for a dollar Mr Noodles cravings..

To this day we are still receiving meals cooked by our neighbours, cash from anyone from family to complete strangers, gas cards, Tim Horton’s cards, and more. Because of the generosity of so many Nevan, Nylah, Anita and I have not gone without anything. Every bill has been paid on time because so many cared enough about us. For this we will be forever grateful and will one day try and return the good fortune to our community and others in need.

 

 

 

It is with a heart full of love and appreciation that Anita and I would like to thank the creators and facilitators for tonight’s event. Their efforts went much further than just the planning I’m sure. We know how busy anyone’s life can be in this fast world we live in, and to have people take hours out of their own day for the last few months to organize and solicit for an event like this is extremely thoughtful.

Jen Peebles and Ken Buck

Robin and Mike Houston

Janna and Matt Earls

These three couples have helped with soliciting vendors and other sources for many of the prizes you see here tonight. They are all good friends of my mother Jane Bidner who generously rented this hall for tonight’s Gala. Special thanks goes out to her and Chris for working so hard for the past 2 months on tonight. It’s more than we could have imagined. We know that no matter what life throws at us you’ll be there to fight alongside of us.

The next Family I would like to thank have already done so much since the start of Nevans Journey. Immediately upon getting the news they passed help along to us through my mother. Then within weeks the decision was made to host this event. And just recently they delivered a generous donation on behalf of the Knights of Columbus. Steve and Donna Dodge have been helping people since before I was born. They have been helping other families through charity and church. They have been fostering children for years. Steve and Donna deserve more than just a thank-you for tonight they deserve a thank-you for what they do every day. If everyone made the effort to take care of each other like they do we would probably solve most of the world’s problems. Proof of their great commitment can be found in their children Christina, Jason, Jeff, Molly and William. All of which have been an immense help with everything from prizes and ticket sales to some handmade photo cards. Congratulations to Jeff and his wife who had a baby two days ago. Welcome Baby Hannah. Thank-you so much Dodge Family. You have encouraged Anita and me to do more for our community and our children.

Finally we have made a short list of people that we would like to thank for tonight as well as the past few months. Honestly the list is enormous. Our future blog posting will hopefully cover any that we have missed.

·       Jassie Dhaliwal, Anjana and Ateet Patel for running our first bbq fundraiser

·       The Beer Store for holding 2 BBQs, a day of with pay raffle and sports ticket raffle and donating to tonight’s gala

·       Dr Laura and Active Health Associates for giving Nevan a fun day complete with bouncy castle, face painting and horse riding.

·       Jessica at  live the moment photography who held a mini photo session in nevans honour to help raise funds

·       The amazing staff at kinsmen daycare who have always supported nevans health and happiness

·       Our friends who have spoiled both kids recently.

·       Our old neighbours who have always helped with home improvements or random small favours Brad, Joanne Kaylee, Allysa, Gavin and Nevan’s friend Taya

·       Our new neighbours who cook meals and offer open arms Sangeeta and Amit Ari

·       My good friend Tom who is always there when I ask him

Specifically with regard to tonight we thank the follow

·       Acklands Granger

·       Arena bar and grill

·       Arnverdale Holsteins

·       Ashley Baker

·       Melanie Berard

·       My step brother Jeff Bidner

·       Ken and Joan Bidner

·       Bonnies Place

·       Brafasco

·       Brick Brewery

·       Carslberg brewery

·       Don Chamberland

·       The Co-operators

·       Chris Couture

·       Craig Bowman roofing

·       Stuart Dykstra

·       F  and M brewer who happens to make our favorite beer Stone hammer Pilsner

·       Colin and Lori Ferguson

·       Freddies hairstyling

·       Linda Fritz

·       Marko Gazdic

·       Guelph Storm

·       Home Furniture

·       Velma Houston

·       Brad Howell DJ services

·       KIA motors

·       My brother Jason Langlois

·       Linamar

·       Mark and Carlotta lynch

·       Maksteel

·       Manhattan Pizza

·       Manor Hotel

·       MCG engineering

·       McDonalds Restaurant

·       Al McElhone

·       McPhee Auctions

·       Milburns Auto Sales

·       Molson Brewery

·       Tracy Moore

·       Moosehead Brewery

·       NKC Canada

·       Marion and Richard Oakley good friends of my parents and parents to my first baby sitting gig

·       Outdoor Services

·       Resource Equipment

·       Robinsons Flowers

·       Sue and Ian Robinson also good friends to my parents and familiar face at my doctors appts

·       Salon Gii

·       Shoppers Drugmart on behalf of my step sister Lisa Bidner

·       Sleeman Brewery

·       Thomas Smythe

·       Springfield Golf course

·       State Farm Insurance

·       Steamwhistle Brewery

·       Swiss chalet

·       June switzer

·       Binil Tahlan

·       Tim hortons

·       Toronto bluejays

·       Johnny Venezuela

·       Carrie Van Zutphen

·       Volvo

·       Wellington Brewery

·       The Works restaurant

·       Zehrs

·       And Last is reserved for nevans special aunty.. Yvonne Chan now Yvonne Emrith for Yvonne Chan Cakes.

I’d like to thank Guelph place for the hall rental tonight our DJ, Auctioneer(s), Stephen Garland for the black jack games and everyone who helped set up and run the event.  And I know there is so many more to thank.

Nevans Journey is the name of our blog we started shortly after his diagnosis. It was meant to keep everyone informed about his daily health. It has become so much more than that. We have made ourselves extremely vulnerable by allowing so many to see behind closed doors. We were initially shocked to find that so many had read the blog and that they also appreciated us telling the story. I finally understand why. It’s because everyone who follows and thanks us and who reaches out to help us understands one important principle. Without each other we have nothing. Some put their faith in god.... I put my faith in our children, family our neighbours in short humanity. Together is how humanity got this far and together is how nevans journey will continue and it will continue for many years to come...Thank-you all for coming tonight. We have had a great time and hope you did as well. Thank you.