Houston Community News >> Ski Expo in Houston to Benefit MD Anderson Rehabilitative Ski Trip For Pediatric Cancer Patients

10/6/2007 Houston – This fall, Houstonians can get a jump on the 2007-‘08 winter ski season and give a lift to the M.D. Anderson Rehabilitation Ski Trip for pediatric cancer patients during the Sun & Ski Sports Pre-Season SKI EXPO.
At the SKI EXPO, October 19-21 at Sun & Ski Sports, 6100 Westheimer, representatives from the world’s foremost ski and snowboard gear and apparel manufacturers and the leading Colorado ski resorts will share the latest advances in ski design, technology, fashion and season forecasts. In the Sun & Ski Sports tradition of community outreach, the outdoor adventure outfitter will donate a percentage of all ski and snowboard gear and apparel sales at its five Houston-area stores from October 19-21 to the annual Rehabilitation Ski Trip, which is sponsored by the Children’s Art Project at M.D. Anderson.
”When we learned about this rehabilitative ski trip for young M.D. Anderson cancer patients, we knew we wanted to get involved,” said Barry Goldware, Sun & Ski Sports President/CEO. “We are the ski gear experts and we have customers who like to help those in need. Together we can help the kids stay warm and comfortable on the slopes.”
Each winter since 1982, 15 to 20 physically-challenged pediatric cancer patients, accompanied by physicians, nurses, child life specialists and volunteers, take a ski trip that will help raise their self-confidence and prove to them that they can overcome their physical limitations on the slopes.

To support the January 2008 ski trip further, Sun & Ski Sports will sponsor an in-store children’s ski clothing drive to collect gently used ski jackets and pants for these patients at all five Houston-area stores. Sun & Ski also arranged for Spyder Active Sports to provide ski caps and gloves to the participating skiers.

At the Sun & Ski Pre-Season SKI EXPO, representatives from such industry leaders as Marker, Burton, Nils and Orage ski apparel; K2; Volki, Technika, Dynastar and Nordica ski gear; and Burton, Ride and K2 snowboards will give previews of their 2008 lines. Women will enjoy a “Ski Chic” fashion clinic, Saturday, October 20, available from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., with the latest Nils and Spyder fashions for the slopes, along with complimentary “après ski” chair massages provided by Koala Sports Medicine. There will be a registration for door prizes as well.

The Colorado Ski Resorts will have experts on hand from such popular ski destinations as Aspen/Snowmass, Copper Mountain/Winter Park, Crested Butte and others to help plan ski trips for the upcoming season.

Sun & Ski will host an M.D. Anderson Children’s Art Project booth to sell greeting cards designed by its pediatric cancer patients. The Children's Art Project funds the annual ski trip for patients in the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M.D. Anderson.
Dr. Norman Jaffe, a recently retired M.D. Anderson pediatric oncologist, developed the idea for the annual ski trip after hearing a young cancer patient (and amputee), Ted Kennedy, Jr., describe his ski adventures. In 1982, Dr. Jaffe realized that skiing could be a novel form of physical rehabilitation and has taken pediatric cancer patients to the mountains each year.

“This ski trip offers young cancer patients snow-skiing lessons and gives them an amazing opportunity to acquire new skills and gain a real sense of accomplishment. It’s great because it also provides a getaway from cancer treatments and time just to enjoy the mountains and outdoor activities,” said Shannan Murray, executive director of the Children’s Art Project.

Sun & Ski Sports, the “guide to the great outside,” regularly outfits enthusiasts who ski, run, hike and bike around the world. With five stores in Houston and 10 stores throughout the Southeastern U.S., the store’s e-commerce site is www.sunandski.com. Open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., the Houston-area stores are located at 6100 Westheimer (between Hillcroft and Chimney Rock), Memorial City Mall, Katy Mills Mall, 5503 FM 1960 West and 1355 Bay Area Boulevard.

For further information on Sun & Ski Sports Pre-Season SKI EXPO, please call (281) 340-5000, ext. 145.