PAFN Foundation

The 9^th annual Saccomaniacs Agriculture for Autism tournament raised $70,000 for Pacific Autism Family Network!

Steve and Antoinette Saccomano of Chilliwack BC, and their family, started a family and friends golf tournament in 2008.

Steve Saccomano says: “We started this event to create awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and to raise funds for Autism programs. Autism touched our lives more than 15 years ago and we turned to many support groups and organizations for guidance and help. Our golf tournament is our way of giving back to the Autism Community.”

The Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN), is a registered Canadian charity that supports individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families, and has been the recipient of all funds raised at this event since 2014.

“With the Saccomano family having so far raised over $200,000 for our Pacific Autism Family Network through their annual Saccomaniacs Golf Tournament, they have truly made a tremendous difference. We’re so fortunate to have them in our Pacific Autism family as such long-time supporters of ours” says Sergio Cocchia, Co-Founder and Board Chair, Pacific Autism Family Network. “Now that our main centre is opened and operating in Richmond BC, their raised funds are being directed towards our future Fraser Valley spoke location which is going to make a huge difference in helping us ensure available services for families in that region, faster.”

Saccomano went on to say: “We have raised close to $300,000 since 2009 and look to build on this amount going forward, with the goal of establishing a PAFN spoke office in the Fraser Valley.”

It takes approximately $250,000 to open a new PAFN Spoke location, and to support the operations of a Spoke year after year about $100,000 is required annually, outside of the first year. All PAFN Spoke locations are outfitted to offer the same resources that are available at PAFN’s GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub in Richmond.

“We are thrilled that we have received so much support in our endeavour” Saccomano said. “Together with my family, friends and the agriculture community, we are very proud to be planning our 10th annual Saccomaniacs Agriculture for Autism Golf Tournament. My family and I look to continue this legacy for many years to come.”

The Saccomaniacs Agriculture for Autism Tournament and Tradeshow has over 180 golfers, 65 volunteers, and 200+ attendees at the dinner. 

The 10th Annual Saccomaniacs Agriculture for Autism tournament is taking place August 13, 2018.

For further information on the 10^th annual see saccomaniacsgolf.com.

Pacific Autism Family Network, along with lead sponsor, GoodLife Fitness, opens the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub. The state-of-the-art facility is the first-of-its-kind in North America. The Knowledge Centre provides support for individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and all related disorders.

“It’s been an amazing journey developing the Hub thanks to the help of generous sponsors and donors,” says Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, co-founder and Fundraising Chair, PAFN. “Since breaking ground nearly two years ago, our supporters and volunteers have continued to give their time, money and passion to create a space for those with ASD to thrive.”

“Our hub and spoke network will be resource for families across B.C.,” says Sergio Cocchia, co-founder and Board Chair, PAFN. “This provincial Centre of Excellence will seek to build capacity throughout BC across the lifespan and we hope will spur awareness and catalyze action across the country.”

In British Columbia, there are an estimated 69,000 people living with Autism, and the Autism Hub is a central space for families needing support as they navigate ASD and related disorders. With specialists across all areas, the Hub hosts programs focused on life span and transition, clinical practices and assessment of individuals with ASD, and is home to the Variety Children’s Treatment Centre, as well as information and resource centres.

“The kids and families touched by Autism and related disorders are some of the bravest, most impressive people you will ever meet – but sometimes, they need our help and support,” says Premier Christy Clark. “There is a wide range of Autism programs and services available to them, and for the first time, they can all be found in the same place.”

“With the launch of the Hub, British Columbia becomes a leader in ASD research,” says Dr. Gabe Kalmar, President and CEO, PAFN. “As the prevalence of ASD and related disorders grow, it is important that families across the province have access to innovative programs and services.”

GoodLife Fitness Founder and CEO David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans has a 20-year old daughter, Kilee, on the Autism spectrum and has been a significant supporter of Autism research for many years.

“As a parent, I know how often the challenges of Autism seem insurmountable – random outbursts, self-injurious behaviour, the frustration of not being able to communicate, sleepless nights. The worst part was feeling alone in my struggle,” says Patchell-Evans. “I hope the massive reach of this hub and its resources will help BC families feel supported and that it will make a huge difference in the areas of research, education and outreach. GoodLife is proud to play a role in providing hope and a path forward for as many families as we can.”

While located in the Lower Mainland, the Hub will extend its reach across the province through technology, outreach, workshops and additional spokes opening in the near future. The technology and spokes will provide opportunity for those living outside of Metro Vancouver access to the expertise available at the Hub.

canfitpro Commits $100,000 to Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation for its One of a Kind Facility Opening Summer 2016

PHOTO: Pacific Autism Family Foundation’s Board Chair and Co-Founder, Sergio Cocchia displays a $100,000 cheque from canfitpro’s Vice-President Rod Macdonald

Left to Right: Tammy Lyle-Gravlev volunteer & event experience coordinator of canfitpro, Robert Robinson Marketing Solutions Manager at canfitpro, Sasha Stone Senoir Event Experience Manager of canfitpro, Rod Macdonald Vice-President of canfitpro, Sergio Cocchia co-founder of PAFCF, Krista Hall events and Community Engagement Manager of PAFCF.

VANCOUVER, BC– canfitpro kicked off their Vancouver Fitness Expo with a bang this past weekend when they announced a $100,000 donation to the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation (PAFCF) toward its new “Hub and Spoke” Modeled Centre in Richmond, BC.  The funds will be used to create the ‘canfitpro Outdoor Recreation Space’.

“We are delighted with this newly formed partnership with canfitpro and what their $100,000 commitment will mean for the PAFCF and the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub located in Richmond” says Sergio Cocchia, co-founder of the PAFCF.  “The ‘canfitpro Outdoor recreation space’ will be an environment where youth and adults feel safe, engaged and gently stimulated to socialize.  It will include a play area with fitness equipment and will have significant impact on the well-being of individuals on the spectrum.  We are forever grateful for canfitpro’s generosity”.

“We are very proud of the canfitpro Outdoor Recreation Space we’re building with the PAFCF. We are confident that this space will give families the opportunity to integrate physical activity into their time at the Centre and is critical to optimizing their experience and outcomes. We look forward, with heartfelt gratitude, to the completion of the space and all the memories it will create for the families who will use it” says Rod Macdonald, Vice-President of canfitpro.   

The Hub complete with its outdoor recreation space, is schedule to open summer 2016.

About Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation

The Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation is creating a hub and spoke network where children and families facing the challenges of autism can access information, treatment, research and support. GoodLife Fitness recently committed $5 million and is the naming donor of the hub. The GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub and Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation will serve Autism and related disorders, including developmental disabilities, and learning challenges. ASD affects 1 in 68 children, and 1 in 42 boys. With 69,000 people on the Autism spectrum living in BC, and 80 children diagnosed every month in the province, this is a much-needed initiative for BC families. The project will focus on serving families across BC through its navigator program and by collaboration with other organizations.

About canfitpro

canfitpro is the largest provider of education in the Canadian fitness industry. Founded in 1993, canfitpro delivers accessible, quality education, certifications, conferences, trade shows, and membership services. canfitpro’s over 100,000 members include some of the world’s finest fitness professionals, health club operators, industry suppliers, and fitness consumers.

Richmond, BC (December 16, 2014) – Today the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation (PAFCF) officially launches a comprehensive provincial network to support individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum and related disorders through a “hub and spoke modeled Centre of excellence”.

The groundbreaking of the 58,000 square foot building and network, in large part made possible through the leadership provided by a $20 million dollar grant from the Province of British Columbia, marks an important step toward bringing an inspired vision to life. “As diagnosis, knowledge and understanding of Autism has increased so too has our B.C. government’s investment in services and treatment. Each year we provide more than $209 million to support people on the spectrum and their families,” says Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman. “The $20-million grant we provided will help build a centre to make it easier for families to access support services and programs.”

Designed to be a core of knowledge and support, in tandem with other future satellite facilities located across B.C., the PAFCF will bring together state-of-the-art research, information, learning, treatment and support systems. In addition to its array of resources, it will strive to highlight the lifespan needs of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum and related disorders (ASD) in British Columbia.

The planning of the PAFCF has been a thorough and collaborative process over the past six years. Innovative, wired classrooms, lecture theatres and new technologies will allow for ideas and services to spread beyond the walls of the facility and its satellites, while enabling massive outreach efforts to serve individuals, province-wide. The PAFCF will help steer parents through the difficult autism world.

“The PAFCF has been envisioned to meet the needs of families across our province. Without duplicating services, we intend to build on existing resources available in a collaborative, supportive model to put families and individuals first,” says Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia and Sergio Cocchia (Founders of the PAFCF). “Today we celebrate and thank the people who have dedicated so graciously of their time and money to get us to this point, specifically the leadership provided by our naming donor and the province of B.C. As such, we are pleased to announce today that GoodLife Fitness has made a $5 million dollar commitment to help support the development of the Centre, our family hub. The new name of the building will be the GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub.”

David Patchell-Evans, GoodLife Fitness Founder & CEO has a very personal relationship with autism and has been a significant supporter of autism research for many years.

“Fitness has been my passion for 35 years,” says Patch. “I love helping Canadians live fit and healthy lives. Whether it has been obstacles in business or the challenge of living with rheumatoid arthritis, I’ve always felt I had some control over the outcomes. What I have not chosen, and at many times have felt overwhelmed by, is the devastation of being a father with a daughter who has been profoundly affected by autism. When my little girl was diagnosed, help was virtually non-existent. Today, I have hope. Today, I have hope that parents can get reliable information; that children will be screened at an early age, not waiting years for a diagnosis. Hope, thanks to the strides being made by research, including our own Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group. I have hope because of devoted parents such as Wendy and Sergio who have brought us to this point in time. So while autism has been the greatest challenge in my life, the place where at times I felt powerless, I have learned that I can help. I can contribute and I can share my journey with others. My wife Silken Laumann has chosen to be a committed step-parent and has been an unbelievable force at my side for the past six years. I am so very grateful to be a part of this project with everyone; it is a phenomenal collaboration. I now have hope for everyone with autism and their families.”

The GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub is slated for completion in early 2016.

About the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation and the GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub
We are creating a place where children and families facing the challenges of autism and related disorders can access the information, treatment models, research and support in one starting place. It will serve Autism and related disorders including similar challenges in developmental disabilities, and learning challenges. With 69,000 people on the Autism spectrum living in BC, and 80 children diagnosed every month in the province, this is a much-needed initiative for BC families. The project will focus on serving families across BC with a navigator program and collaboration with other organizations.
About ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental condition that impacts typical brain growth. As a spectrum disorder, ASD has a wide variation in how it affects each person (their needs, skills and abilities). However there are some common characteristics including difficulties with communication and social interactions, repetitive interests and activities, and stereotypic motor behaviors.

ASD occurs in approximately 1 in every 68 births, and may appear during the first three years of life. It is four to five times more common in boys than girls — affecting 1 in every 42 boys — and is the most common neurological disorder in children. Given the 1 in 68 prevalence rate, it is estimated that there are approximately 69,000 people affected by ASD in BC.

About the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation and the GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub
We are creating a place where children and families facing the challenges of autism and related disorders can access the information, treatment models, research and support in one starting place. It will serve Autism and related disorders including similar challenges in developmental disabilities, and learning challenges. With 69,000 people on the Autism spectrum living in BC, and 80 children diagnosed every month in the province, this is a much-needed initiative for BC families. The project will focus on serving families across BC with a navigator program and collaboration with other organizations.
About ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental condition that impacts typical brain growth. As a spectrum disorder, ASD has a wide variation in how it affects each person (their needs, skills and abilities). However there are some common characteristics including difficulties with communication and social interactions, repetitive interests and activities, and stereotypic motor behaviors.

ASD occurs in approximately 1 in every 68 births, and may appear during the first three years of life. It is four to five times more common in boys than girls — affecting 1 in every 42 boys — and is the most common neurological disorder in children. Given the 1 in 68 prevalence rate, it is estimated that there are approximately 69,000 people affected by ASD in BC.