Anna Schindler was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer, on January 27, 2010. After chemotherapy and a complex surgery to remove 70 percent of her liver, Anna’s battle continued with a dual diagnosis of hepatoblastoma and yolk sac cancer. Following her passing in the summer of 2010, her parents, Joe and Polly Schindler, established the Anna Schindler Foundation on January 1, 2011, to support families in the Inland Northwest facing pediatric cancer.
September 7, 2024, marked the foundations 14th annual Anna Schindler Memorial Golf Tournament. The event is the Anna Schindler Foundation’s main fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, bringing funds that are funneled directly to families battling pediatric cancer and as a testament to Anna’s legacy and a reminder that families are not alone in this fight.
“For families who have gone through or are currently going through the battle with cancer, seeing the community rally around them offers hope and strength during a very difficult time,” Shelby Schindler, chief operations officer for the Anna Schindler Foundation, explains. “It’s a moment where we all come together to honor these brave children and their families, and it reinforces our commitment to providing the support they need.”
Each year, the Anna Schindler Foundation hopes to match or exceed the previous year’s funds raised through this event. Last year they raised approximately $170,000, and Shelby is thrilled to share that they met their goal for 2024. “Even despite the troubled economy, our donors rallied behind us yet again. The generosity of out supporters was overwhelming, and these funds will go a long way in continuing to provide assistance to families and progress on our ongoing projects, such as our building fund for Anna’s Homes, providing meal cards, financial assistance such as paying bills and so much more during treatment.”
More than 300 participants and supporters, both familiar faces and new friends, attended the 2024 fundraiser, opening their hearts and giving a hand to these cancer warriors. The atmosphere is one of joy, support and unity, surrounded by a deep sense of community and shared purpose to make a difference. “We had an incredible time not only with the golf tournament itself but also with our live and silent auctions, games for cash prizes, and a delicious dinner, which brought a lot of excitement as we raised significant funds,” Shelby states. “We also got to hear stories from real families and children who were helped by the Anna Schindler Foundation. We aim to make each event a fun, memorable day where people go home and know they’ve not only had a blast but are also helping change lives while doing it.”
As Shelby notes, many people don’t realize the financial hardships families face when their child is diagnosed with cancer. This year’s event proceeds will directly fund various needs for these families, including financial assistance for medical bills, mortgage payments, phone bills, and other essential expenses that arise during these challenging times. Funds also provide meal cards for use at the hospital, gas cards for traveling to and from the hospital, and care packages for newly diagnosed families, among other support. “Additionally, a significant portion of the donations will go toward Anna’s Homes, ensuring families have a safe and comfortable place to stay near their child during treatment,” Shelby explains. “Many of these families travel from far away, and accommodations are often limited, especially since their children are frequently immunocompromised. Cancer treatment is not always short-term; some families stay for months, and Anna’s homes provide a home away from home where they can be together during such a difficult time.”
Phase I of Anna’s Homes was completed in the fall of 2018 and has housed more than 40 families since opening their doors. Realizing the need was so immense and helpful to families, the organization decided they needed to build additional Anna’s Homes. In March of 2024, they broke ground on Phase II of Anna’s Homes, which will provide four new individual family homes in Spokane, just a short drive from Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. With the goal to be completed by fall of 2025, the design of these homes focuses on creating a welcoming, peaceful home environment where families can feel at home while staying close to their child during treatment and will feature a kitchen, living space, laundry facilities and private bedrooms. The homes are also designed to meet the specific needs of cancer patients, including handicap accessibility, as children often lose their ability to walk or are too weak, so parents will need to assist them with a wheelchair. And while these homes are called “single-family” homes, they can house up to 12 family members or friends who want to help with the care of other children while the child who is diagnosed is being hospitalized or needs extra care.
“Providing these homes is a core part of our mission,” Shelby emphasizes. “When a child gets diagnosed, the entire family gets diagnosed. Life doesn’t stop while you go through treatment; most times, one of the parents has to quit their job in order to take care of the child who’s been diagnosed. Anna’s Homes gives families a home away from home, a place to come back to, a place to find what fragments of normalcy you can find. It means everything to us to give families the comfort of being near their child during treatment without the added worry of housing.”
Since 2011, the Anna Schindler Foundation has helped more than 800 families across the Pacific Northwest alone. “We want to deeply thank everyone who has supported the foundation over the years. Whether you’ve attended an event, donated, or shared our story, you are making a difference in the lives of families who need it most,” Shelby says. “Whether you’ve been with us for a while or are just discovering our mission, there’s always a way for you to help. Please join us at one of our events, and if you feel inclined, consider donating to local families in need at our website, AnnaSchindlerFoundation.org.” Be sure to follow the Anna Schindler Foundation on social media to stay updated on all their campaigns, including their upcoming initiative, “Anna’s Homes for the Holidays.” From Thanksgiving to Christmas, you can donate any number of nights for families in need to stay at Anna’s Homes.
“From Joe and Polly Schindler, and everyone here at the Anna Schindler Foundation, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” Shelby smiles.
