Kin Blog

In Part 2 of this blog series, we travel to the seminar room at 1920 Rogers Drive. This room is mainly used for staff meetings, as well as when National committees and the National Board of Directors have face-to-face meetings. But it’s what hangs on the walls that give you a glimpse into Kin history.

A portrait of Kevin Denbok hangs on the back wall because he was the first honourary Kin member, given the title in 1982. Denbok had cystic fibrosis and was a singer and songwriter, inspiring many Kin and our fellow Canadians with his passion for life and his determination to spread awareness of cystic fibrosis. He spoke many times about the disease and the need to raise funds to find a cure. In 1986, Denbok passed away but fundraisers are still held in his honour.

During one of his inspirational interviews, he said the following about how he felt about having cystic fibrosis.

“I was asked a question last week when I was out in the Maritimes singing, and I was asked if I was frustrated, if I felt bitter about the fact that I have cystic fibrosis. And I looked at the person and said ‘If somebody told you that you had a week left to live, you would take that week and you would do everything you ever wanted to do.’ And in a way I see myself like that. I was given somewhat of an idea, of what it was I wanted to do, I was given an idea of how much time I had, and I’ve just made the most of it. The only thing that I can think of right now that I would still like to do, is to live.”