After a successful and busy first year, a local charity keeps working to provide money to those who need medical travel and equipment.
Kimmunity Angels Society, whose mission is to help with quality of life for seriously ill individuals and their families with financial assistance for medical treatment, medical expenses and equipment or supplies, became a registered charity, a highlight because that began its handing out of tax receipts to donors.
“When people are ill, the stress of finances is not something they should need to worry about, they should be able to focus on healing and doing what it is they need to do to get to their appointments etc,” said Donna Slavik, president and founder of Kimmunity Angels Society.
“[The] Community has contributed a great deal, including their time and money. Donations and successful fundraising events allow us to honour our mission and continue to provide much needed help to people dealing with serious illness.”
In its first year, the society raised approximately $18,000, which assisted about 15 people, she added.
"This year we are looking to triple that number in funds raised and people we will be able to assist," said Slavik.
The money its raised has gone to help with travel to BC Cancer Lodges in Prince George, Kelowna and Vancouver; covered medication costs, assisted with MSP payments, dental, naturopathic visits.
It’s also provided a wheelchair, walker, cane, toileting equipment for post-surgery at a cost of nearly $5,500.
Costs to a cancer lodge add up quickly because it includes accommodations, food, flights, gas or bus travel, plus there’s expenses for nausea, pain or inflammation medications.
“These costs add up quickly depending on the length of chemo or radiation treatment,” said Donna Slavik, president and founder of Kimmunity Angels Society.
The cancer lodge is a $53 a night stay, which includes food, however, if a patient needs to stay for six weeks of chemo or radiation, which is not uncommon, it is $2,226 for accommodation and food before travel costs or anything else.
Kimmunity Angels is now set up for memberships for a small fee, which gives members discounts on events, plus the chance to help the community.
The society’s long-term goal is to expand to Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Smithers and maybe even go province-wide or nation-wide, said Slavik.
“It’s good to have goals and to set them high,” she said.
Fundraisers in the society's sights this year include a wine festival in the spring/summer and another big event planned for the fall that's being kept secret for the moment but is promised to be "hilarious" plus other smaller events.
The first fundraiser for the year for Kimmunity Angels Society is a comedy show with Ian Bagg and special guests Matthew Fulchiron, Chad Daniels and Francisco Ramos.
Bagg is still a huge community supporter even thought he has a busy schedule and with all his career success, including being in the top 5 of Last Comic Standing.
This fundraiser for the society is at 7 p.m. January 26 at the REM Lee Theatre. Tickets on sale at Misty River Books.