‘Wishes for Annabelle’ raises funds for Nelson family
By John Boivin Local Journalism Initiative
Through online auctions and a crowdfunding campaign friends and family are pulling out all the stops to help a little Nelson girl facing a life-threatening illness.
In August eight-year-old Annabelle Edl started feeling fatigued, pale and feverish. In September, she was diagnosed with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She’s been undergoing treatment at the Vancouver Children’s Hospital since.
But while she’s been away for treatment, Annabelle’s neighbours haven’t forgotten her. Almost immediately, efforts to raise money to help the family’s medical expenses started. It began with a bake sale, then progressed to an online crowdfunding campaign. It’s taken less than a month to raise more than $15,000.
The goal is to raise $20,000 in this campaign.
“The community has been so fantastic, so many people have gone out of their way to ask for and give donations for the silent auction,” says Benje Moricz, who set up the Gofundme online fundraiser.
“Businesses have come forward with fundraising opportunities and cash donations to support the Edl family. Annabelle’s school mates are organizing things for her. People have been leaving wonderful and uplifting messages for Annabelle on her Facebook site.”
Moricz says the money raised is going to help the family cover expenses while travelling to Vancouver.
Its likely Annabelle will be in Vancouver for the next five months receiving treatment.
Maintenance therapy is expected to last nearly three more years, requiring frequent travel.
“When a person or family is in crisis the first thing they think about is that crisis and not the financial toll it may eventually take on the family, and that’s the last thing someone would think about when their child is ill,” she says. “So that is the first thing I decided to do to help.”
Moricz says GoFundMe was a quick solution to getting donations happening quickly, and funds are available to the family right away. A CIBC account has also been set up to accept donations.
Besides the Gofundme campaign, a silent auction has been set up on Facebook that will take place on November 13-17. Annabelle’s classmates are also working to raise funds, and are planning to collect quarters for her when they go trick-or-treating this Hallowe’en. They’ll also distribute pamphlets about Annabelle that night to help spread awareness.
Moricz says she’s pleased and gratified by the community’s reaction.
“I’m not surprised that this wonderful community has given so much love and support for such a special young girl,” she says. “That’s who Nelsonites are! I am surprised at how quickly things have happened though.”
To find out how you can contribute to helping Annabelle and her family, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/wishesforannabelle. Anyone wishing to contribute to the silent auction can contact the fundraising group wishesforannabelle@gmail.com.
