Thirteen young people suffering from a life-threatening illness got the opportunity of a lifetime last week at the 2010 Grey Cup - Saskatchewan versus Montreal, thanks to the Chris Knox Foundation (CKF).
CKF took the 13 youths, aged eight to 21, to the big game as well as one friend or family member per youth. The young folks got the chance to walk in the Grey Cup parade and meet with the Saskatchewan Roughriders after the game for an autograph signing session.
The group also had the chance to attend an Edmonton Oilers game and the West Edmonton Mall during their trip to the city.
The special experience was marred with sadness, however, as the group lost one of its young members upon the return home to Regina. Kaila Berg, 18 years old, died of cancer on November 29. She had been battling the disease for 14 months.
Founder of CKF and mother of Chris Knox, Sharla Folk, said that Berg had been pretty active during the trip and appeared to be doing very well.
Folk said that Berg's mother Joanne attended the Grey Cup game with her daughter and said she felt blessed to spend that time with her. Berg's father had attended last year's Grey Cup with his daughter through the CKF.
"This is why we do what we do, to create wonderful memories for these families," said Folk.
Folk had attended the 2007 Grey Cup with her son Chris only 2 weeks before he died of cancer, a memory, she said, that she will cherish for the rest of her life. Since then, the foundation that bears Chris's name has been in full swing, giving youth with life-threatening illnesses the chance to attend sporting and cultural events.
Folk and her son are formerly of Weyburn. Chris is also the son of Ron Knox of Weyburn.
