Grant Wistrom Foundation
3811 J St.
Lincoln, NE, 68510
The plight of young oncology patients was brought to Grant’s attention during his senior year at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, when he befriended Kendall Chalmers, a young Husker fan with leukemia from Grant’s home state of Missouri. To help prepare Kendall for the loss of his hair during treatment, Grant, Jason Peter and Jared Tomich included Kendall in their pre-game ritual of shaving their heads and presented him with a coveted honorary Blackshirt jersey. His concern for pediatric cancer patients, through that first encounter in Nebraska, has grown into the Foundation that bears his name.
The Grant Wistrom Foundation was created in July of 2002. The Foundation strives to provide pediatric cancer patients a space in time to be just children. At a foundation event we provide a safe, supportive and happy environment for them to regain a sense of self, a joy of life and the feeling that there are no limits to what they can accomplish. They are able to connect with other children who understand their world as both a child and a patient. Friendships are created through these common bonds.
Programs
*Circle of Friends: The Circle of Friends experience begins with a four day Wisconsin winter trip that brings together 40 pediatric oncology patients from 9 U.S. Cities. They enjoy skiing, tubing, disco bowling and snowmobiling, along with discussing the latest fashion trends and the newest music to hit the charts. For many of the participants these new friendships offer encouragement and support as they navigate through their course of recovery. Every two years the group is reunited on a summer trip where new adventures await them. Jerry Wunsch, Brian Young, Rich Coady, Jared Tomich and Chris Kelsay join Grant in hosting these events.
*Local Outreach: The Foundation supports a number of events that have included: Kids Only Day at a Family Fun Center, Mom’s Spa day and a Dad’s gameday outing. Through the Foundation’s events, Grant and Melissa strive to provide the children as well as their parents with a relaxing break from the concerns of everyday life.
*Section 98: The Foundation donates four tickets for each home UNL Football game to pediatric oncology patients and their families so that they may enjoy the Husker experience. Each guest receives a t-shirt and a pre-game meal.
*Charities for Children: The Foundation actively supports various children’s organizations through financial and/or merchandise donations in Missouri, Nebraska and Illinois.
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