Charelli's, Victoria Hospice family
Donation protected
The holiday season is here and Charelli’s is continuing its tradition of support to a family that has been touched by the angels at Victoria Hospice. Many of you may remember the family we sponsored last year. Their sadness and heartache is unceasing as the father was able to spend his last Christmas with his wife and two young girls, however, he passed away in February of 2016. Now, the mother of these two girls, ages 9 and 10, has recently discovered that her ovarian cancer has recurred and she is entering the palliative stage of treatment. This mom is struggling with the thought that her ovarian cancer is back and that it has metastasized - all the way into her neck.
Here is the backstory from the Christmas in 2015. This family fled the war in Kosovo and arrived in Canada as refugees. Both mom and dad were employed and worked very hard at their jobs. They have succeeded in many ways, and created a life for their two children who were born in Canada. Unfortunately, the young mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year. She has had surgery and a full course of chemotherapy to help prevent the cancer from recurring. Her time away from work has exhausted all unemployment benefits she was entitled to. Last year, just as she started to recuperate from her months of chemo, the dad was diagnosed with a very rare form of a lung cancer and pulmonary hypertension. He was exposed to harmful chemicals at his previous work in Kosovo, as he had never smoked in his life. The family is very poor. They did not expect to have any kind of Christmas to celebrate this year.
As a community we helped this special family have a hopeful Christmas last year when they said, goodbye to their dad and husband. We are hoping we can do it again! The future is uncertain for these two sisters, but I know we can help give them some lasting memories.
The girls have asked for very little this year, however the mom has relayed that the girls like to shop at ARDENE and some gift cards would be very nice. Also, we recommend some gift cards to family friendly places to support making memories: Cineplex, Langford lanes, BC Museum, Tea at the Empress, White Spot, (or other restaurants to create ‘something special’). Also, practical places such as Grocery stores, Wal-Mart are greatly appreciated.
Last year, the girls liked the colours pink and purple and are now wearing a ladies XS size. The one secret wish each girl had was for an Instax Poloroid camera (one pink, one blue) each with ample film. (The Cameras have been purched THANK YOU!!!!)
We will be accepting any donations at the store up until Dec 21st.
We are so grateful for the help and support our amazing customers are able to provide. Thank you for continuing to join us in making lives brighter.
Photo credit: FaithfulStepsPhotography.com
With respect to the family they will remain anonymous.
Victoria Hospice delivers gifts to the family, Charelli’s is only a donation point.
Here is the backstory from the Christmas in 2015. This family fled the war in Kosovo and arrived in Canada as refugees. Both mom and dad were employed and worked very hard at their jobs. They have succeeded in many ways, and created a life for their two children who were born in Canada. Unfortunately, the young mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year. She has had surgery and a full course of chemotherapy to help prevent the cancer from recurring. Her time away from work has exhausted all unemployment benefits she was entitled to. Last year, just as she started to recuperate from her months of chemo, the dad was diagnosed with a very rare form of a lung cancer and pulmonary hypertension. He was exposed to harmful chemicals at his previous work in Kosovo, as he had never smoked in his life. The family is very poor. They did not expect to have any kind of Christmas to celebrate this year.
As a community we helped this special family have a hopeful Christmas last year when they said, goodbye to their dad and husband. We are hoping we can do it again! The future is uncertain for these two sisters, but I know we can help give them some lasting memories.
The girls have asked for very little this year, however the mom has relayed that the girls like to shop at ARDENE and some gift cards would be very nice. Also, we recommend some gift cards to family friendly places to support making memories: Cineplex, Langford lanes, BC Museum, Tea at the Empress, White Spot, (or other restaurants to create ‘something special’). Also, practical places such as Grocery stores, Wal-Mart are greatly appreciated.
Last year, the girls liked the colours pink and purple and are now wearing a ladies XS size. The one secret wish each girl had was for an Instax Poloroid camera (one pink, one blue) each with ample film. (The Cameras have been purched THANK YOU!!!!)
We will be accepting any donations at the store up until Dec 21st.
We are so grateful for the help and support our amazing customers are able to provide. Thank you for continuing to join us in making lives brighter.
Photo credit: FaithfulStepsPhotography.com
With respect to the family they will remain anonymous.
Victoria Hospice delivers gifts to the family, Charelli’s is only a donation point.
Organizer
Carmen Lassooij
Organizer
Victoria, BC