Remembering Max Keeping as Honorary Chairperson of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, National Capital Region

NATIONAL CAPITAL, OTTAWA, Oct. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - By now, everyone is aware of the news that Max Keeping has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. At The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, we felt it was best to remember the special relationship we held with Max by sharing heartfelt quotes from our National Capital Chapter and those who knew him best.

Among the many charities that he was involved with, Max Keeping was the Honorary Chairperson of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, National Capital Region. In October 1986, Max hosted the first Children's Wish Foundation (CWF) fundraiser in Ottawa "Reunion 86". Within weeks of that concert, the Ottawa Chapter was already a plan. I approached Max and asked if he would be interested in being the Chair of a Board that I was putting together for the CWF. Max told me that he would love the position but didn't feel he could commit to the time of board meetings and chair duties; he did suggest that maybe he could sit as an honorary board member. At that moment Max Keeping became the Honorary Chair of our Chapter. Over the next almost 30 years, Max has been a pillar of this chapter. In the old days Max would air CWF stories at least twice a month on CJOH News. If a phone call was made to Max he would attend fundraisers and appearances on behalf of the CWF at the drop of a hat, even after being diagnosed with cancer.  Max was a great Honorary Chair, a great personality, a great representative of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, and my friend. We will miss you Max. God Speed.
Patrick J. Lowell, Chair of Chapter Advisory Board, The Children's Wish Foundation, National Capital Chapter

Max always spoke of the generosity of our community. Whether through volunteer hours or monetary donations, he truly believed that giving a little more helped to make our community stronger. The National Capital Chapter of Children's Wish Foundation of Canada will always be grateful to Max for his compassion, his generosity and his dedication to helping people in need. I think a good way to honour his legacy would be to try and be a little bit more like Max.
Ian Smith, National and Chapter Advisory Board Member, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, National Capital Chapter

About The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is the largest all Canadian wish granting charity dedicated to granting wishes to Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. For more than 30 years, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant heartfelt wishes to more than 22,000 children and their families.

This year, the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada expects to grant over 1,000 wishes with the help of volunteers and generous donors; that is approximately three wishes every day. The Children's Wish National Capital Chapter has already granted a total of 142 Wishes this year, with more than 1,000 still to be enjoyed.

Already within our first six months of this year, we are experiencing unprecedented increases of wish referrals through our strong medical community relationships for our wishes granted to children with life-threatening illnesses. Now more than ever, we are encouraging Canadians to donate and support The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada to help us grant the next most heartfelt wish. Each wish is an individual adventure, carefully structured to meet the needs of a particular child and family. Children's Wish is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information.

SOURCE The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Sue Walker, Director National Capital Chapter, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, National Capital Chapter, Phone: [phone] ext 0488, email: [email protected]