A Prince George woman has organized a fundraising concert for Thursday night to benefit a local high school student fighting cancer and other health issues.
The concert at the First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett St., will feature a solo performance by Tim Nuefeld of Starfield, a popular independent worship band, said Anne Jenkins, organizer of the fundraiser.
Jenkins is a physiotherapist who read the Citizen story about Leora Wildi surviving cancer but knows Leora isn't out of the woods yet. Because of the cancer treatment, including radiation, as well as chronic Graft versus Host disease resulting from a bone marrow transplant, Leora's tendons and muscles are tightening and joints are stiffening as a result of a secondary condition called avascular necrosis, causing great pain and limited mobility.
There is an expensive medication called Imatinib available to Leora that could help, but the cost of about $3,000 a month, is prohibitive.
"They saved her life, now let's save the quality of her life," said Jenkins.
When Leora's high school principal, Sherry Thibault at Prince George secondary, heard about the lack of funding for this medication, she asked staff and students at PGSS to fundraise, asking the community for assistance as well. Leora needs this medication for about 18 months and right now there's not enough in the bank account to cover the cost.
Jenkins, who works at the hospital's geriatric assessment and treatment centre, decided to take her efforts of asking people to donate to a higher level.
"I thought, what can I do?" asked Jenkins. "I went to my church and stood up in front of the congregation and told them the scenario and told them if Leora goes untreated this could cause serious damage. So a bunch of the congregation came up and told me they would donate and then my worship leader said they were holding a worship concert and they would do it as a fundraiser."
Jenkins has been going to other churches to let everyone know about the event and she's talked to everyone she knows, she said.
"We need to help this family," said Jenkins.
Lynn Wildi, Leora's mother, just found out the fundraiser is happening for her family.
"The selfless generosity and compassion that this community has shown to Leora and to other children in the same situation is incomprehensible to me," said Lynn. "People still pray for her and people do things like this benefit concert and it just goes to show you it really does take a community to raise and care for children. Thank you so much to all who have donated and organized events to help Leora."
Admission is by donation to the Thursday concert (suggested $10 per person or $30 per family)
will go to the Integris Credit Union account called In Trust for Leora Wildi, No. 80353615.
