About
Sisu Children’s Fund is a public charity able to give grants directly to needy families in Washington state. Sisu gives priority to children in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Since 2000 Sisu has given about $90,000 to children and young adults with medical problems or physical disabilities not covered by insurance.
How it started
Frank and Barbara Sanchez started this charity in November 2000 in memory their daughter, Jolene. Read their story below:
We started this charity in memory of our daughter, Jolene.
Jolene was 17 when the above photo was taken. A year later, when she was attending Skagit Valley College, her brain tumor came back.
Jolene fought brain cancer for years, and went through four surgeries. She had a stroke during her second, paralyzing the right side of her body. For much of the time she was alive she went through various medical treatments and physical and speech therapy. She participated in therapeutic horseback riding and a brain retraining program, both at great cost and neither covered by insurance.
After Jolene, our only child, died at age 21, we no longer could say, “We leave everything to our children.” We reflected on the other children and families we met throughout Jolene’s struggle against cancer who were also suffering from physical disabilities and going through major medical treatments. We wanted to find a way to help families provide medical treatment and equipment when they couldn’t afford it on their own — or if insurance came up short.
Meet our board members
Sisu Children’s Fund is governed by community members and health specialists throughout western Washington.
Frank Sanchez
Frank is a retired mechanical engineer and founded Sisu with his wife, Barbara, in November 2000.
Barbara Sanchez
Barbara Sanchez is the treasurer and founder of Sisu Children's Fund. She is retired, and has worked for the Bellingham School District and, for 25 years, for a Seattle radiology group.
Tom Callender, M. D.
Tom Callender is a Minnesota native who has been happily living in Bellingham for more than 30 years. He and his wife, Linda, are neighbors of Frank and Barbara Sanchez, and have followed the growth and success of Sisu with admiration. Retired now from positions as a local anesthesiologist and medical director, he recently joined his wife on the Sisu board to assist in providing help for local children.
Linda Callender
Linda Callender is an original Sisu board member and has long been a champion for children. She has been a PTA president, a local Girl Scout troop leader, president of her Lutheran church council and a founding partner of Bonnie’s Team, an organization that quilts for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Ron Effa
Ron is a retired consulting engineer. "It is very satisfying to be involved with a local charity where 100 percent of donated funds goes directly to help children and young people in our immediate area," Ron said.
Deidre Kent
Deidre spent more than 20 years in the field of public accounting before joining the faculty at Bellingham Technical College in 2008, where she teaches accounting and business courses. She is a cancer survivor who believes wholeheartedly in the power of complementary medicine and techniques. She recognizes the limitations that many medical insurance policies put on the coverage of some of these therapies. As a result, she appreciates the opportunity to play a role in an organization that supports these avenues for children.
Elaine Maki
Elaine graduated from WWU with a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She owns Bell SLP Services, which provides speech-language diagnostic and therapy services to children and adults in both private practice and school settings.
Marianne Story: Marianne, a kitchen and bath designer, volunteers on Sisu’s board to help all kids who are in need.
Gretchen: St Joseph Hospital employee
Brend Holma: special education program director and speech pathologist
Susan Sanchez: City of Seattle, Public Works Department
Jeff May: ConocoPhillips engineer
Dr. Frederic Braun: neurologist