Kim’s Alert Circle

Kim Balke is a remarkable woman. She has profoundly touched many through her work as a preschool teacher, director, and expressive arts therapist. Her gifts of dance, poetry, and painting continue to inspire, encourage, and challenge each of us to live lives of curiosity, wonder, grace and kindness. She is a gracious, caring, creative, tender, and generous member of our community.

In September 2019 Kim was diagnosed with a rare heart disease known as Giant Cell Myocarditis. This led to her heart transplant, followed by a lengthy hospital stay. On July 8th, 2022, Kim was hospitalized again for a lung infection and cardiac arrest. The past three years have been a long, exhausting and challenging journey, filled with innumerable twists and turns. She is now at Queen’s Park Care Centre working diligently on many things, including learning how to walk and swallow again. At present, there is no clear indication on how long Kim will be at Queen’s Park.

Some time ago, Kim’s friend Carole shared with her about the alert circle of gazelles which encircle a weak or injured member, facing outward to protect and warn of any danger. It means a great deal to know that so many people stand alongside the Balkes. Over the past four months people prepared meals, sent cards, loaned vehicles, gave gifts, and even donated a hospital bed!

As a result of Kim’s complex care needs, Tom took a 12-month unpaid medical leave from UBC. Recently, Tom made the very difficult decision to take early retirement in order to be with Kim. Both of these decisions came with significant financial cost. When Kim is ready to leave Queen’s Park and return home, the Balkes will incur many additional and unanticipated costs (disability aids, tube feeding, in-home physiotherapy, to name a just a few).

This is where Kim’s Alert Circle comes in. We can give back to Kim and her beautiful family. Together, we can raise the funds to help with her successful transition home where she will continue to rehabilitate, improve and be supported in the comfort of home.