Helping Families will help between 11 to 23 Lethbridge families deal with the costs of cancer treatment thanks to a successful art show fundraiser at the Galt Museum, May 27.
“We raised $17,700 which surpassed our goal of $17,500,” enthused Helping Families organizer Carie Stock who is pleased the second annual event was successful. She said different families need different levels of help.
“It depends on the ask. For some families a parking pass means the world to them. Others are more expensive,” Stock said, adding social workers refer families to the organization.
The event included food, a silent auction and works donated by 100 different Lethbridge area artists who sold their works and donated the proceeds to help families cover the costs of cancer treatment including drugs not covered by Alberta Health, parking passes, time away from work and support.
There was also live art being created by Kaitlyn Villlenuve, singers, dancers and guest speaker Alyssa Fraser, who delivered a heartfelt speech about being diagnosed with a rare hip cancer called pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma and the resulting expenses her family incurred to get her treatment. Fraser, who is also a competitive weight lifter is also an artist. One of her works brought in over a thousand dollars in a live auction.
“We had a performance by Gymfinity Aerials. They were really great. So people came out and supported a good cause, but they also got to see some really cool entertainment,” Stock continued, adding 147 people attended the event.