Village News
In The News
Newsletters
Media Center
|
 Volunteer Brad Loewen conducts a CPR Training class. |
(KISSIMMEE, Fla.) September 9, 2011 –Brad Loewen knows first-hand the true meaning of the words “giving back.” The 36-year-old from Winnipeg, Canada, is moving his family 2,000 miles south for one reason—to be closer to Give Kids The World Village so that he can volunteer for the organization that provided so much happiness for his family.
The Loewen family visited Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), a “storybook” resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, in Spring 2009 as part of their 3-year-old son, Noah’s wish trip. Born with a rare chromosomal abnormality, Noah was granted his wish to visit the theme parks of Central Florida by Children’s Wish Foundation and GKTW.
“Noah just loved it at Give Kids The World. He really got to enjoy his time there. And, we loved to see him enjoy it so much,” said Loewen.
Noah passed away a few months after his wish trip and since then his family has wanted to come back to GKTW to help provide support to other wish families.
“We were uniquely prepared from our experience to talk to other families and provide hope that things can be ok.”
A certified paramedic who owns and operates CPR & First Aid and Paramedic, Fire and Flight training companies in Canada, Loewen is volunteering at GKTW this week by hosting first aid training classes for the staff. He plans to continue the trainings and volunteer in other capacities at GKTW when his family relocates permanently to Central Florida next summer.
“I’m willing to do anything to help Give Kids The World. If it's mowing lawns and sweeping driveways, I’m happy to do it,” he said.
Loewen plans to run both his training companies from Florida and recently launched a new business in Orlando solely based on the need for a visa that would allow his family to live in the U.S. “Thrive Response, Inc.” is a CPR, first aid and paramedic training company that offers classes for medical professionals, emergency responders, corporations and individuals. It is named in honor of Noah, who was termed by doctors as a “failure to thrive” before he was born.
“For us Noah didn’t fail to thrive, even though he didn’t live. For us he thrived. He enjoyed life to the fullest.”
The Loewen family is looking forward to next summer when they will finally live within driving distance of GKTW. His daughter, Kailyn, 11, and son, Joshua, 9, are counting down the days until they turn 12, the minimum age required to volunteer at GKTW. Loewen’s wife, Nichole, a nurse, also plans to volunteer regularly at GKTW.
“Noah was such a huge part of our family and our focus for so many years and now that he is not here, we want other children battling life-threatening illnesses to be our focus. I know [Noah] would be proud of us. Every day when I walk by his paver stone outside the Ice Cream Palace, I can say, ‘this is for you.’”
###
About Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 107,000 families from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. For more information about GKTW and its mission, visit givekidstheworld.org.
Give Kids The World Media
Colette Krahenbuhl
colettek@gktw.org
(407) 396-1114 ext 4259
