A succession of special occasions ensures Chemainus’ Wanda Smith is going to be extremely busy bolstering her fundraiser for the Intensive Care Unit at the Cowichan District Hospital.
Smith makes specialty cards and her goal is to raise $25,000 by the time the new hospital opens in the fall of 2026. Her total from card sales and donations got off to a heartfelt start on Valentine’s Day and currently sits at just above $4,000.
“The response has been amazing,” said Smith. “I sold 21 Valentine’s Day pop-up cards.”
She received a $100 donation from a friend in Victoria for one card and that triggered $750 raised within that network. Former neighbours from Prince George made a $200 donation and another large anonymous donation came through the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation portal that doesn’t identify the donor or the amount.
“I’ve taught two more card classes here at the house,” Smith added. “That raised quite a bit of money as well, over $400.
“It’s just been amazing. The generosity of people, it’s overwhelming. I’m really happy with where I am so far.”
The fundraising incentive stemmed from Smith’s own personal health issues. In 2018, while at a conference in Richmond, she fell unconscious to the floor and wound up being rushed to emergency at Richmond General Hospital. Smith went to the ICU and was put into a medically-induced coma.
She was unresponsive the first three days, was put back under on the fourth day and finally woke up on the fifth day.
It was never completely determined what caused Smith’s medical condition. Speculation stemmed around an acute sodium deficiency and a neurologist determined she had a freak epileptic seizure.
Smith hasn’t encountered any difficulties in the four years since and was so appreciative of the work of the ICU staff she wanted to do something as a fundraiser.
That’s when her card and card classes ideas went into play and she’s been going strong ever since.
With Easter and then Mother’s Day and Father’s Day coming up, Smith is planning to be busier than ever to fill the needs of people for cards and boost her fundraiser further.
“Equally as important as the dollar donations, is the gift of time helping with prep, and donations of supplies from many wonderful family and friends, a big thanks to them,” she added.
Anyone interested in purchasing pop-up cards for the upcoming occasions can contact Smith by email at wandafaithsmith@gmail.com. All proceeds go to the fundraiser.
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don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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