{ clara's play day at the park 2016 }

Plan to attend Clara's Play Day at the Park, a free and fun afternoon in Ernest Lindner Park on August 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. 

While the kids are sure to enjoy the bouncy castles, face painting, games, crafts, entertainment, popcorn, cotton candy and more, there is an even greater purpose behind Clara's Play Day at the Park.

Three years ago, a Saskatoon family was travelling to what was supposed to be a fun camping weekend with friends. Instead, they were involved in a tragic car accident. 

Rafaela (Rafa) Andrade, 26, died at the scene, and her husband Arthur and 2-year-old daughter Clara were taken to hospital. Arthur was treated for minor injuries; their beautiful Clara died at Royal University Hospital. Arthur extended the gift of life to other sick children by donating Clara's organs.

Rafa's friend Fernanda Caminha, who is one of the event's organizers, said, "On August 24, 2013, I had the worst experience in my life when my best friend and her daughter had their lives taken in a car accident. Now threr years have passed, and instead of remembering only the sadness involving this day, we want to celebrate the good moments, the laughs shared, the sweetest memories."

Fernanda and other friends have planned Clara's Play Day at the Park, hoping to offer a memorable day for local families, while raising funds for Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, and to heighten awareness about safe driving and blood and organ donation. There will be an on-site car seat clinic, and Canadian Blood Services will have an information tent on donation awareness.

While the fun day in the park is free, donations to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan are being accepted in memory of Rafa and Clara. 

"An amazing group of doctors and nurses did their best to help Clara and did such a respectful and beautiful job organizing the transplants," Fernanda said. "Last year we raised more than $5,000 for the new Children's Hospital and we would love to surpass that goal this year to help other Saskatchewan children."