You Are Not Alone assists Courtenay teen with scoliosis

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Originally published by the Comox Valley Record, April 1, 2025

Raynee Novak – Comox Valley Record

In September of 2024, after waiting for almost two years, Heather Kohnle received a call from BC Children’s Hospital that the much needed spinal surgery her daughter had to have was finally happening.

Brianna suffered from extreme scoliosis and had tumours on her spine, further exasperating her condition. She had to be taken to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for surgery to straighten her spine, insert two rods and 26 screws.

“She had been waiting so long, it just got so painful for her. She couldn’t walk anymore, she couldn’t sit in a chair anymore, her scoliosis was so bad because there’s a tumour in her spine,” shared Kohnle.

Kohnle needed to be with Brianna at the hospital while she had her surgery and during recovery, meaning she would be off work for almost three months.

“I’m a single mom, I”ve got two kids at home, I’m working full time and I had to take three months off,” said Kohnle.

When it came to the costs associated with travelling back and forth from BC Children’s Hospital and Courtenay, YANA stepped in and covered costs. There were many appointments and YANA was there every step of the way. Including helping Kohnle see her son who was back in Courtenay this whole time.

“Here’s my son back in Courtenay, having to live life on his own and start school with my mother’s support. It was so nice that YANA helped us. After two weeks of being in the hospital in September, YANA helped us get my mother, son and Brianna’s best friend over to Vancouver for a weekend.”

Finally, when it came time for Brianna to be discharged from the hospital, Kohnle was hit with a $610 bill for a back brace that Brianna had to have in order to leave. It would keep her spine straight and keep her from damaging the new rods and screws. While YANA couldn’t cover that cost, they found a charity that could.

“They reached out to two different charities and the second one paid the entire $610 bill for the brace for us.”

“YANA is the coolest thing ever. And since we’ve been home, they have facilitated check ups, getting us back and forth. I can’t say enough good things about them.”

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The Valley Vonka – a major fundraiser for YANA, is ongoing in the Comox Valley. Businesses throughout the community are selling chocolate bars (by donation) with the chance to find one of five Golden Tickets inside the bar. A Golden Ticket qualifies the redeemer to one of five grand prizes, values anywhere from $780 to $1,000.

Chocolate bars are available at:

You Are Not Alone helps girl with seizure disorder

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Originally published by the Comox Valley Record, March 26, 2025

Raynee Novak – Comox Valley Record

Chanel Martin is busy learning the ropes of her daughter’s battle with seizures while keeping her life in order.

Carrera Wiesselmann started having seizures when she was just two. She was taken to specialists and put on seven different medications but still suffering from seizures.

“She was still having seizures, we couldn’t figure out why. That’s when we started going to BC Children’s Hospital and they were able to test her there,” said Martin.

It was during that stay at BC Children’s Hospital that Carrera underwent a week-long electroencephalography (EEG) to find the underlying cause of her seizures. Doctors discovered that she had a tumour on her left frontal lobe.

“It’s a slow growing grade level one,” Martin explains of the tumour.

She underwent surgery to remove the tumour but only 90 per cent could be removed as it was attached to her speech memory. Carrera continues to live with 10 per cent of the tumour and regularly goes to have MRI’s completed to check on the tumour.

Not only does YANA help Martin out with getting Carrera to her often last minute appointments at BC Children’s Hospital, they have helped find her coverage through other funding for Carrera’s very expensive medications.

“One is about $200 a month and the other is $400 every two months. [YANA] helped me figure out funding for her medication.”

“It has been a super relief in knowing that YANA is there to help me because I’m still navigating myself throughout this and worried about all of this stuff. I couldn’t afford to go over to Vancouver and miss work. They have just been so wonderful and I can reach out to them anytime. About anything,” shared Martin of her experience with YANA.

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The Valley Vonka – a major fundraiser for YANA, is ongoing in the Comox Valley. Businesses throughout the community are selling chocolate bars (by donation) with the chance to find one of five Golden Tickets inside the bar. A Golden Ticket qualifies the redeemer to one of five grand prizes, values anywhere from $780 to $1,000.

Chocolate bars are available at:

Ready, set, chocolate: Your golden ticket awaits in the 2025 Valley Vonka Contest

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Originally published by the Comox Valley Record, March 26, 2025

Black Press Media Staff  – Comox Valley Record

The Comox Valley Record and Parker Appliances are back with the sweetest contest of the year: the 2025 Valley Vonka.

And let’s give a huge shout-out to Dustin and Lisa from Parker Appliances for making it all possible – thanks to you both. Thanks to Adil Amlani (Sure Copy) for donating the chocolate bar wrappers and canvas, and Lisa Joan for designing Olivia the Octopus.

This isn’t just any contest – we’re talking about a treasure hunt for five gold tickets more than 3,000 delicious chocolate bars from the Comox Valley’s own Hot Chocolates scattered throughout participating businesses in the Valley. Each donation directly supports YANA, making your calorie sacrifice truly worthwhile.

Here’s how to join the fun: Mark your calendars, as the hunt kicks off on March 26 and continues until April 16. Check out the Valley Vonka section in the Wednesday issues of the Record March 26, April 2, 9 and 16  editions for contest details, deadlines, chocolate bar locations, and everything in between. The more chocolate bars you acquire, the higher the chance of winning one of the five coveted golden tickets.

Each golden ticket is worth between $780 and $1,000. Prizes include:

  • The Ultimate Relaxation Package: A luxurious stay at The Old House Resort & Spa, a delectable dinner at a local restaurant, and a family spa day (Value: $1,000)
  • A Healing Escape: Experience the magical Healing Caves at The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa, an experience for four (Value: $780)
  • Save on Fuel: A Peninsula Co-Op Gas Card (Value: $1,000)
  • Shopping Spree Time: A Canadian Tire Shopping Spree (Value: $1,000)
  • Grocery Goodness: A Quality Foods Gift Card (for Comox and Courtenay stores – Value: $1,000)

Found a Golden Ticket? Don’t wait! You must validate your ticket at the Comox Valley Record office (407D Fifth Street, Courtenay) by April 28 to claim your prize.

Last year Comox Valley residents helped us raise $17,949.11. This year, we’re aiming even higher – $22,000. We’re counting on you to get behind this fantastic initiative and make it the sweetest success yet. All proceeds from your donations of chocolate bars go to Y.A.N.A.

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The Valley Vonka – a major fundraiser for YANA, is ongoing in the Comox Valley. Businesses throughout the community are selling chocolate bars (by donation) with the chance to find one of five Golden Tickets inside the bar. A Golden Ticket qualifies the redeemer to one of five grand prizes, values anywhere from $780 to $1,000.

Chocolate bars are available at:

Big Love 2025: An Unforgettable Night of Compassion and Connection

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Comox Valley, you never cease to amaze us. Thanks to your generosity and unwavering support, the Big Love 2025 Benefit raised an astounding $242,000 for YANA families!

This year’s event was a powerful reminder of what makes this community so extraordinary. From the heartfelt bids in our auction to the joyful reunions and warm welcomes around the dinner tables, every moment was filled with the kind of love that turns hard times into hope.

Because of you, families facing the unimaginable won’t face it alone. Because of you, questions and doubts are transformed into plans and security.

We are humbled and deeply grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, guest, and supporter who made this night possible. Your kindness is the heart of everything we do, and your support changes the story for YANA families every single day.

From the bottom of our very full hearts, thank you for standing with us. Thank you for proving—once again—that we are a community united by kindness, connection, and a shared commitment to one another.

With deepest gratitude and Big Love,

The YANA Team 💖

YANA Big Love Benefit on Friday February 28, 2025

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Buy Tickets for Big Love 2025

The Big Love Benefit is YANA’s premier annual dinner and auction, celebrating the generosity and love that defines our community. This unforgettable gala brings together friends, fun, and a shared commitment to supporting YANA families.

Event Date
This year’s YANA Big Love Benefit is on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Florence Filberg Centre Signature Venue. For those unable to attend in person, the event will also be livestreamed for everyone to enjoy.

Ticket Information
Tickets on sale HERE now!

  • In-Person Tickets: $200 per seat or $1,600 for a table of 8.
  • Livestream Access: By donation! Automatic tax receipt provided.

Every ticket includes access to our massive Online Auction, which opens on February 18 and concludes during the live event on February 28.

Buy Tickets for Big Love 2025
Buy Big Love WestJet Raffle Tickets

A Community United in Love
This event is a testament to the unique spirit of the Comox Valley—a community that comes together to ensure no family feels alone in their time of need. The success of the Big Love Benefit depends on the incredible generosity of sponsors, donors, and supporters like you.

Thank you for helping us make a profound difference for YANA families in our community. We can’t wait to share this extraordinary evening with you. Let’s show our Big Love!

Big Love 2025 – More Info
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