West Shore volunteers are taking aim at filling a dream.
A dart tournament and charity live auction is raising money in the hopes a seven-year-old Langford resident with a rare syndrome will realize her dream of a Disney cruise in 2015. Approximately 32 dart teams head to the Langford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion on Saturday (Nov. 8), for a Help Fill a Dream Foundation fundraiser evening that will be about giving back, said Jaime Adams.
“I have two daughters. I can’t even imagine being in the position some families have to go through, and the financial burden and stress that goes along with that,” said Adams, a member of the foundation’s board. “The society is there to assist the families during those times.”
The young patient suffers from Costello Syndrome, a rare disorder that can affect development and is characterized by unusually flexible joints, loose folds of skin, heart abnormalities and an increased risk of developing cancerous and non-cancerous tumours.
“We can perhaps send the child on a dream that they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, and it takes them away from the disease for a short period of time,” said Adams, who also lives in Langford. “It’s all about community giving back to the community.”
She said the Help Fill a Dream Foundation just celebrated its 2,000th dream fulfilled for young patients across Vancouver Island. Wishes have ranged from new iPads to building a pirate ship or a fairy garden in a back yard, to meeting country singer Carrie Underwood.
“The events we do, what you see and knowing how much you have helped those families, is what I keep coming to this for,” Adams said. “To see what it means to a family to leave and throw the stress away, whether it’s the last month of their life or a child that just beats cancer, it gives (everyone) a reason to celebrate.”
The event starts with the live auction at 7 p.m. at the Legion, 761 Station Ave. For more information or to donate, contact Daryl Hamill at 250-213-6114. For details on Help Fill a Dream, visit helpfilladream.com or call 250-382-3135.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com