News

New program for YANA families

Posted on November 5, 2018

We are pleased to be launching a special program for YANA families called YANA Connects. YANA Connects is an opportunity for YANA families to connect online through a private Facebook group. The program also offers families opportunities to gather for shared learning around various topics of interest. It is for parents, or primary caregivers, of a YANA child, past or present.

If you are a primary caregiver of a YANA child, please join us for the first gathering featuring guest speaker Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt, Registered Psychologist. She will address topics relating to coping, stress and anxiety and how it affects relationships with others and with ourselves. Coffee, tea and snacks will be served. The evening is complimentary for YANA families. YANA will provide funding support for babysitting if needed in order to attend.

Filberg Centre Conference Hall (upstairs)
411 Anderton Ave, Courtenay
Wednesday November 7, 2018
7:00pm – 9:00pm

Please RSVP to yanaconnects@yanacomoxvalley.com. If babysitting support is required, please let us know.

Click here for more information.

Comox Valley gives back to the community

Posted on October 23, 2018

Originally published by Comox Valley Record – Oct 23, 2018

This past spring, Comox Valley’s Gladstone Brewing Co. partnered once again with Brad Harris, a full-time family physician by day and self-taught brewer by night (and owner of the Royston Nano Brewery) for the brew-based fundraiser that resulted in production of Love Potion NEVI (North East Vancouver Island) IPA. Now that final sales have been tallied, more than $5,500 of Gladstone’s proceeds from the beer were split between You Are Not Alone (YANA) Comox Valley and BC Children’s Hospital Oncology – causes close to the hearts of the brewers. Pictured, YANA president Kelly Rusk, Gladstone Brewing Co. marketing manager Marissa Johnson, Royston Nano Brewing brewmaster Brad Harris, YANA community relations co-ordinator Deanne McRae, Gladstone Brewing Co. owner Daniel Sharratt, YANA executive director Kelly Barnie.

Sunnydale Golf and Country Club’s annual Sunnydale Men’s Tillicum Open doubled as a fundraiser for YANA this year.. Congratulations to Jordan Rallison for defending his Champions title and to Gavin Haigh for shooting a career round and capturing the Low Net title. As a result of the efforts by Rob Speer Golf and the Sunnydale Men’s Club, the Tillicum Committee is very happy to be able to donate $1000.00 to YANA (You Are Not Alone) to aid in all the great work the non-profit does in the Comox Valley. We would also like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make the tournament a success.

Sweet songs by Sweet SantaFe for First Tuesday fundraiser – Oct 2018

Posted on October 1, 2018

Originally published by Comox Valley Record – Sept 29, 2018

The next 1st Tuesday Fundraisers sponsored by the Mex Pub on Oct. 2 will feature Sweet SantaFe, Michel Rivero and Christine Baxter, presenting The Songs of Leonard Cohen in support of You Are Not Alone (YANA).

Sweet SantaFe’s incendiary spark began during a Spanish/English choral music cultural exchange in Havana Cuba where Cuban born Michel Rivero Mordoch and southern Alberta songwriter Penelope Christine Baxter first met.

Sweet SantaFe has infectious Cuban Trova style rhythms that get you up and dancing, and cinematographic lyrical scenes that paint the most vivid landscapes of life. Sweet SantaFe’s distinct style has been crafted from influences as diverse as Alison Krauss, and Sarah McLachlan, to Pablo Milanes, and Tom Jobim. This unlikely pairing, conceived in the fishing district of Santa Fe, Havana, Cuba evolved as the two seasoned songwriters listened and learned to speak each other’s language through song.

In 2016 Sweet SantaFe moved from Havana, Cuba to Comox, where they began sharing their music with Canadian audiences.

The evening begins with a warmup set by hosts Coast to Coast at 7:30 p.m.

YANA is a local non-profit society that provides accommodation and funding to Comox Valley families who need to travel outside the community for medical treatment for a child under 19 or for a pregnant mother.

YANA was founded in 1986 by Sandra Williams after her family experienced the financial and emotional devastation of having a very sick child who required treatment at Children’s Hospital for many months in Vancouver.

The organization continues to ensure that families in the Comox Valley are not alone when dealing with medical issues for their children and believes that when a child is ill the whole family requires care. It also provides financial support so families can stay focused on the health and wellness of their child.

YANA maintains four fully furnished apartments within walking distance of Children’s Hospital and also assists with finding and funding accommodation in alternate treatment destinations. In addition to providing accommodation, the organization provides a daily, weekly or monthly allotment of funds to help with costs of travel, food, parking and unexpected expenses.

They also provide the Comox Valley Hospital with funds to make available to local families who have a child or an expecting mother who requires emergency transfer to another hospital. To access service YANA ensures a simple, confidential and supportive process that starts with a phone call, an email or a visit to the office.

The Comox Valley Foodbank Society, (CVFS) a regular at the event, will be there to accept food donations for families in the valley who are in need.