Kallie’s Krusade and Our Lady of Loreto of Falconer are collaborating with the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo to bring comfort and encouragement to children struggling with cancer and other illnesses this year. Pictured is the church’s youth group, which helped organize a stuffed animal collection for the hospital as an act of service to the community. Submitted photo

Kallie’s Krusade is continuing to make a difference in the community by carrying on the legacy of Kallie Swan.

The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo recently recognized Oct. 22 as a “Day of Service,” asking each church parish to participate. Tarra Swan, Kallie’s mom and co-president of Kallie’s Krusade said her church, Our Lady of Loreto of Falconer, decided to partner with Kallie’s Krusade to do something special for the children at John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

The church and Kallie’s Krusade decided to collect stuffed animals and cards that could be delivered to the hospital in honor of Kallie’s birthday, which is Nov. 10. Swan said the nursing staff at Oishei Children’s Hospital uses stuffed animals to bring comfort and encouragement to the children at the hospital.

Swan said her church tires to do something special each year in honor of the foundation.

“It tries to do something in lieu of some of the general things,” she said. “Rather than just donating money to the foundation or raising funds for the foundation, they had chosen this day of service to gather stuffed animals within the youth group to donate in Kallie’s honor.”

This year’s stuffed animal collection was led by Marilyn Wozniak, who leads the youth group at Swan’s church.

Kallie Swan passed away at three years old from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in May 2015. Kallie’s Krusade is a non-profit organization that started in 2013 as friends and family supporting the family through her battle against leukemia and now represents a community-wide effort to fight against childhood cancer and other illnesses.

“The goal and the mission is to help children with pediatric cancer as well as other childhood illnesses,” Tarra Swan said. “It is definitely a community effort.”

Swan said Kallie’s Krusade has been able to raise money and support through different fundraising events over the years and by the generous donations of people in the community. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kallie’s Krusade has not been able to hold as many fundraising events during the past couple years.

“It’s been a struggle to get back on our feet and kind of regather to put on events,” Swan said. “I know we haven’t been very public with what is going on. It’s not that we’ve come to an end, we’ve just kind of taken a step back.”

Swan said she wants people to know that Kallie’s Krusade is “still here” and still trying to help kids and families in need.

This year’s collaboration between Kallie’s Krusade, Swan’s church, and the children’s hospital has been very meaningful for Swan and her family.

“It’s almost like a way of celebrating her birthday,” she said. “The goal this year was not only to carry on Kallie’s legacy, but also just to put a smile on some child’s face.

Swan said the work of the foundation allows the legacy of her daughter to live on in the community. While she admitted the work of Kallie’s Krusade can be “emotionally draining” for her and other board members, she stressed the importance of the work and the joy it brings to see the impact of Kallie’s legacy.

“As her mother, each and every day that she’s gone is a toll on me,” she said, “but when things like this are done on her behalf, it just warms my heart and reminds me of the impact that she had here on earth during her short life.”

Despite recent setbacks during the pandemic, Swan said Kallie’s Krusade is planning special events to commemorate next year’s 10th anniversary of the nonprofit foundation. Swan explained the events would be organized to thank the community for the support they have given to Kallie’s Krusade over the years.

Swan also emphasized the importance of continuing to help families in need as people continue to struggle with cancer and other illnesses.

“They still come out of nowhere it seems,” she said. “If there are others out there, they can reach out as well.”