I work at NRGH in the lab/emergency department and it warms my heart to report the following.
Recently a co-worker, who is a long time resident of Parksville and a single mom, Frances Bowen, was diagnosed with MS. Karen Ganderton, another co-worker, and myself wanted to do something to lift our friend’s spirit and show her that we care.
Between us, and in the spur of the moment, we came up with a fundraiser we called “Two causes in One” — Karen’s very long hair was to be cut off and her hair would be donated to ‘locks for cancer’ to be made into wigs and any funds collected would benefit Frances. When the first donation of $50 was offered within the first two minutes of our decision there was no stopping us! Karen was going to shave her head.
Posters were distributed around the hospital and my persuasive skills came into play resulting in a generous sum of money being raised that was presented to Frances for which she was very grateful.
I take it upon myself now to extend my appreciation to all involved: NRGH staff and departments who generously helped the fund grow day by day; dear friends of Frances, many from her school days, who donated generously to support this wonderful lady in her hour of need; total strangers who heard of the cause and gave without hesitation.
First Choice haircutters on Bowen Road who provided their expertise free of charge and did a wonderful job of shaving Karen’s head; Country Grocer on Bowen Road who donated bouquets of flowers that were offered in gratitude to Karen and First Choice; Parksville Quality Foods and Parksville Save-On-Foods for their willingness to donate generous grocery gift cards to Frances; Shane’s Mobile Computer Services in Coombs for donating gift cards to auction; and last but by no means least to Karen for not batting an eye when her hair was razed to the scalp.
Claire Delaney
Nanaimo