They came dressed in their princess attire and their pirate garb in an effort to find a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF).
The Estevan Kinettes Club’s annual Princess and Pirate Ball was held at the Estevan Elks Lodge on Saturday afternoon. Nearly 150 people attended the event, which was a fundraiser for CF Canada.
Kasey McIntyre, who was an organizer of the event, said she was impressed with the number of families who attended.
“We wanted to focus on it being for the whole family, so that was really wonderful to see,” said McIntyre.
She expects the Kinettes will be able to donate $5,500 to CF Canada thanks to the support shown for the fundraiser through ticket sales, sponsorships, raffles and activities that were offered throughout the afternoon.
The people who were present enjoyed such activities as dancing, snacks, face-painting, games, a beauty bar, crafts, a button-making station and more. The dancing was particularly popular.
“It’s always nice to see people up and dancing,” said McIntyre.
Cystic fibrosis affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine. It can cause difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus.
McIntyre noted that CF became part of her family’s life almost nine years ago, when her son was diagnosed with the condition. The dynamics for her family have changed, and they have learned a new normal. They have also learned and relearned what they believe.
Tianna Wallman of Estevan was selected as this year’s Pay it Forward Princess for her work in the community. (This week’s edition of Lifestyles will have more on her honour).
Steven Vancha, who has lived with CF for 31 years, was the guest speaker. When he was born, the life expectancy for someone with CF was about five years, but now it’s around 50 years.
“I had the pleasure of hearing him speak before at a cystic fibrosis fundraiser, so I thought he would be perfect for this year,” said McIntyre.
Vancha has attained many milestones that he was told he would never attain, such as getting married and being a father, or playing sports.
“I thought that was nice for all people to hear,” said McIntyre. “Don’t set limitations for yourself. If you want to go out and do stuff, by all means do it. But let other people tell you what you can or can’t do.”
Vancha said he has always had tremendous support from his family. But he was often coddled by those who told him it was all right if he didn’t finish a race, or complete the challenge in front of him.
“I was very determined, stubborn and strong-willed enough to always finish the task that was presented to me,” he said. “And I always completed the task better than most of my peers, regardless of CF.”
He has been hospitalized three times in his life because of CF.
Vancha recalled that when he was cut from a top soccer team when he was 12 or 13 years old, he was told he didn’t make the team because the coach was concerned about Vancha’s CF.
He was asked to play for another team in the city, and that team beat the squad that cut him in the final, with Vancha scoring a couple of goals.
Vancha is now married with a son. He noted that CF affects male fertility, and so he and his wife had to go through in vitro fertilization to have a child, but he and his wife are now proud parents, and Vancha’s child was among those at the ball.
