Board of Directors

I am blessed and humbled to be a Co-Founder and President of the North Valley Sparrow Foundation.

My husband Brian and I, reside in Gridley, California where I have lived most of my life. I attended Chico State University, earning my Bachelor of Arts Degree and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. The 2021-2022 school year will be my 21st year teaching in the Gridley Unified School District. 

February 15, 2013 will be a day that changed my family forever. My nephew, Spencer Whalin, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a non-operable form of brain cancer that took his life just 17 short months after diagnosis. It is through his journey that I became even more aware of money being raised through various organizations, not staying local, nor was it going directly to families enduring the grueling cancer nightmare. 

Just seven short months before Spencer’s diagnosis, my mom passed away suddenly. I had watched her live with Multiple Sclerosis for over 20 years. This is where I first realized the lack of local organizations available to provide either financial and/or emotional support for my mom or my entire family living through the horror together in our small rural community. Then on March 28, 2014, just 2 ½ short months before cancer took Spencer, my family suffered the loss of my father. 

Within that short year and a half, I learned a great deal about the people of Gridley and the surrounding communities. Also, learning the true meaning of graciousness, selflessness, gratitude, and perseverance. Still to this day, I reflect back on the number of individuals that came in and picked up the pieces for our family through such a horrific time.

It is those individuals, the village, that inspired me to do whatever possible to step up and create a local organization to provide financial and emotional support for patients and their families going through their own battle with cancer. Therefore, the North Valley Sparrow Foundation was born. Without the other four amazing women you have already met, none of this would be possible. Thank you, ladies, I am forever grateful!

With your generosity, we can be that village for families in the 23 surrounding rural communities. 

I look forward to this PASSION WITH PURPOSE!

kim@northvalleysparrowfoundation.org

I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as secretary of the North Valley Sparrow Foundation. 

Both my husband, Mike and I, were born and raised in the small rural town of Gridley, California, where we reside today with our family, two dogs, thirteen chickens and a mean cat, Eli. 

I’m a mother of four, who wants to live in a world where laundry folds itself, moms get to wear superhero capes and families never have to hear the word cancer. Unfortunately, we know that world doesn’t exist. Studies have shown that people who live in rural communities like mine are less likely to recover from cancer largely because of the limited access to local treatment options. Families have to travel to surrounding areas to get the treatment they need which can be financially draining and emotionally exhausting. 

I’ve spent most of my life volunteering in my children’s classroom, at fundraising events for school field trips, teaching Sunday school, feeding football teams and driving basketball players to games, but nothing compares to aiding a family during the worst chapter in their lives.

I know that nothing in life prepares you for the gravity of a loved one diagnosed with cancer. This is why I am proud to be working with such an amazing group of impassioned women and excited to step up as an advocate for local families who critically need our support. 

arin@northvalleysparrowfoundation.org

I am proud to be serving as the treasurer of the North Valley Sparrow Foundation. When I received the call to join, my answer was an immediate yes! I am very honored to be a part of this great organization.  

Unfortunately, my journey with cancer began many years ago when my seven year old daughter, Lisa, was diagnosed with a very rare tumor in her brain stem. During her 10 month battle, my husband and I received an amazing amount of support from family and friends. They say that it takes a village to raise a child. I believe that it takes a village to to support a family when in this type of crisis. I was very lucky that I had this village, others may not be so lucky.  

The California Cancer Registry has predicted that there could be about 7,000 new cases of cancer in the 18 rural counties that this foundation will service. These 7000 families are going to need a village. This is my way of giving back to other victims of this horrible disease. 

cheryl@northvalleysparrowfoundation.org