Livermore Family Channels Grief into Giving
Korrine Croghan’s family raises funds in her name to help pediatric oncology patients and their families.
By Dolores Radding
Three years ago Dana and Matt Croghan lost their 14-year-old daughter Korrine to a rare form of cancer. The Croghans described her 10-month fight as heart-breaking and intense. But out of their profound grief and sadness, something remarkable emerged.
Together with friends and family, the Croghans began fundraising and helping other pediatric cancer patients and their families at KP’s Oakland Medical Center, where Korrine received most of her treatment.
“We knew the minute Korrine was diagnosed with cancer that we weren’t going to let it crush us,” said Dana. “We were going to do something.”
On a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, that something was in full swing at the Robert Livermore Swim Center. Some 250 volunteers, including 130 swimmers, got together for the fourth annual SwimStrong Swimathon put on by Team KC, which is named in Korrine Croghan’s honor. Over the years this fundraiser and other Team KC events have raised tens of thousands of dollars. Preliminary figures for this year’s swimathon are more than $14,000.
“It’s satisfying to know that there are people out there willing to take a Sunday to swim, and help out some kids and families,” said Matt.
The Croghans know firsthand that besides the emotional strain of dealing with a child with cancer, there can also be a tremendous financial drain. Parents often need to take time off work, and they sometimes need to stay in hotels to be with their child while he or she is in treatment.
“We’re about raising money for the immediate needs of patients and families,” said Dana. “We help pay for gas and for food, we help a mom go get a cup of coffee after a long night of staying in the hospital.”
The first SwimStrong event was organized in 2008 by the swim community in Livermore to benefit the Croghans while Korrine was still in the hospital. Korrine played water polo, and Matt is a middle school teacher and water polo coach. Dana is the aquatics manager at Livermore’s swim center. When Korrine passed away in October 2008, the Croghans decided to keep going.
“We wanted to keep Korrine’s spirit alive, and she was about helping people and having fun,” said Matt. She’s everywhere at the event. It’s all her, it’s swimming, it’s BBQ, it’s music, it’s having a good time.”
The Croghans and Team KC are also dedicated to making the lives of KP Oakland’s pediatric cancer patients, a little easier. Besides bringing gifts to the hospital during the holidays, they donate arts and crafts supplies, books, videos, and toys year-round. Last spring they purchased a Wii system that’s designed especially for hospitals and can be rolled from room to room.
Each fall they invite patients and their families to The Taylor Family Foundation/Camp Arroyo where there are zip lines, horses, and of course swimming.
KP Oakland pediatric social worker Kim Sherman worked with the Croghans when Korrine was in the hospital. She said the family is carrying on her legacy of love and hope. “Matt and Dana just share this amazing life source, and they’re just positive, positive people,” said Sherman. “They’ve had terrible sadness, but they’re a source of continuing inspiration.”
Inside Photo: Korrine with her little brother Sean at KP’s Oakland Medical Center.
Extra Photo 1 Caption: Dana and Matt Croghan at this month’s SwimStrong Swimathon in Livermore.
Extra Photo 2 Caption: A Team KC volunteer keeps track of laps at the recent swimathon.
http://korrinecroghan.blogspot.com/Read more about Korrine and her family’s fundraising efforts on the Team KC blog.
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