General News
A YANA Birth Story – Victoria
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Originally published by Comox Valley Record – April 13, 2019
YANA there every step of the way for Ashley and Remy
Although each YANA birth story is different, they are all the same in that the support never changes. The community is behind every birth, and any out-of-town follow up appointments or treatments required.
YANA (You Are Not Alone) is a community organization offering help to Comox Valley families who need to travel for medical services for their children. Our purpose is to improve access to healthcare by providing travel funding and accommodation. Regardless of the location, the names or the circumstances, YANA is there. The overwhelming gratitude expressed by the families is always the same. The relief of stress over finances and accommodations allows parents and caregivers the time and energy needed to help their babies grow and thrive in those crucial early days.
Here is Ashley’s story:
May 5, 2018 – After her doctor urges her to call YANA, Ashley makes her first call to advise of her high-risk pregnancy. Her baby is due June 10 and the ultrasound indicated a cleft palate, so she will need to deliver in Victoria. YANA immediately arranges for travel funding starting on May 27 and books two-to-three weeks of accommodation at Jeneece Place.
“Jeneece Place is always our first choice for accommodation in Victoria,” YANA executive director Kelly Barnie explains. “It is an amazing facility, funded by Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. It’s a home away from home right on the grounds of Victoria General Hospital and is run by the most incredible team.”
May 30, 2018 – At 8 pounds even, Baby Remy is born at Victoria General!
June 8, 2018 – Remy is back at home after a whirlwind first week of life. Ashley connects with YANA to arrange a return trip to Victoria for the cleft palate clinic July 17. YANA provides travel funds for the required three-day trip and covers costs at Jeneece Place once again.
August 2, 2018 – Ashley contacts YANA to make arrangements Remy’s lip repair surgery trip September 24–27. Again, medical verification is received, funding is provided and the Jeneece Place reservation is made.
Oct 9, 2018 and Feb 12, 2019 – Travelling each time with Remy’s three-year-old big sister Olivia, and either their dad Takeshi or grandma Sandra, YANA provides Ashley and her family with travel funding and accommodations for two follow-up trips.
March 24 and April 9, 2019 – Remy has his pre-op appointment, major cleft palate surgery and post-op follow up visit. The surgery is a success and Remy is recovering well. YANA provides funding and the Jeneece Place staff welcome this much-loved family back with open arms.
YANA is there for Comox Valley families any time a child or a pregnant mother needs to travel for medical reasons. There are no questions asked. Only appointment verification is needed. Since his birth almost a year ago, Ashley and Remy have travelled to Victoria for his care seven times, spending 20 days away from home. They are hopeful that this most recent trip will be his last for a while, but know that YANA will support Remy whenever needed throughout his childhood.
Ashley cannot stress enough how important it is to have a place to ‘fall’ that will be able to catch and comfort you.
“That’s what YANA has been for us,” she explains. “From the beginning, I knew I didn’t have anything to worry about except Remy and his recovery from his surgeries. The care that YANA provided was seamless. Kelly was always compassionate and caring. The communications were always clear. I feel nothing but love and gratitude for YANA.”
For more information or to donate, visit yanacomoxvalley.com.
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Another way to help YANA, and perhaps win big, is to purchase a Valley Vonka chocolate bar (or two) at participating dealers, while quantities last.
Contained within the packaging of five Valley Vonka chocolate bars are the coveted “golden tickets,” to be redeemed for some incredible prizes.
Valley Vonka chocolate bars are available at:
• Courtney & Anglin Real Estate Group
• Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa
• The Park (Formerly Longlands Golf Course)
• Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick
and of course the YANA office!
A YANA Birth Story – Vancouver
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Originally published by Comox Valley Record – April 14, 2019
YANA offers Comox Valley family support in birth of twins
Every family’s birth story is different. When a Comox Valley family’s experience includes care in another city, YANA is there every step of the way.
August 21, 2018 – Sarah, Kyle and their 17 month old son Harvey are sound asleep in their Comox Valley home. Sarah is 27 weeks pregnant with twins. Sarah’s water breaks months earlier than expected. Their 2:00 a.m. trip to the Comox Valley hospital turns into an emergency airlift transport to the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. On their way to the helicopter, they are handed an envelope containing emergency cash and a letter from YANA.
YANA Executive Director Kelly Barnie receives the first phone call from Kyle. He explains the situation and says that the doctors are trying to hold the babies off from coming for as long as possible, but they could come any time. YANA support is confirmed. “We’ll send you an e-transfer today and we’ll work on finding accommodations for whenever you’re ready,” Barnie assures. The relief in Kyle’s voice is palpable.
August 24th, 2018 – Each weighing 2lbs 1 oz, twins Isla and Clark are born! Mom Sarah is stable with Kyle by her side. Big brother Harvey is at his grandparents’ in Courtenay. Babies are being monitored in the NICU.
September 4, 2018 – Kyle has been staying bedside in the hospital. Though Sarah is now well enough to be discharged, Isla and Clark will need to stay in hospital for two to three months. Sarah and Kyle move into a BnB YANA has found and paid for where they can stay with their son and easily get to the hospital to be with the twins. Isla and Clark have their IVs removed and get 3 hours of skin to skin contact. Both babies are over 1kg and have their first bath!
September 23, 2018 – Babies are 4 weeks old. Isla is off the CPAP machine and Clark is gaining weight like crazy. Sarah holds both twins together for the first time. Kyle tells Kelly what an awesome big brother Harvey is becoming. “He can already say Isla and can sorta say Clark. We finally took our first family photo. Hello family of five!”
October 24, 2018 – The twins are 2 months old today! Clark is 5 lbs 6oz, Isla 4 lbs 13 oz. Both are learning to nurse and bottle feed and everyone is praying for continued weight gain, waking for successful feeding times, no heart rate dips, and peace for mom and dad who are not so patiently waiting to go home. “Feels like we are on the “final stretch” but this apparently is the longest stage. It’s so hard because it seems like the end of the tunnel is in sight,” Kyle laments.
November 8, 2018 – After almost 3 months away, Kyle sends Kelly an email titled “Moving out and coming home!”
For Kyle and Sarah, that first contact with YANA was the beginning of many months of assistance that assured them their community was behind them through this journey. From the emergency funds, to the Air BnB, to monthly financial assistance, and regular check-ins, YANA was with them all the way. “Having that help from YANA made all the difference. They dealt with all those stresses, letting us concentrate on getting the twins bigger and stronger so we could bring them home,” says Kyle.
For more information or to donate, visit yanacomoxvalley.com.
***
Another way to help YANA, and perhaps win big, is to purchase a Valley Vonka chocolate bar (or two) at participating dealers, while quantities last.
Contained within the packaging of five Valley Vonka chocolate bars are the coveted “golden tickets,” to be redeemed for some incredible prizes.
Valley Vonka chocolate bars are available at:
• Courtney & Anglin Real Estate Group
• Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa
• The Park (Formerly Longlands Golf Course)
• Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick
and of course the YANA office!
A Smart Guy Who Knows His Pi!
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Jack Boan is a smart guy who knows his Pi! He will be blowing people’s minds by reciting Pi on Pi Day (3.14) Thursday March 14th at Mark R Isfeld Secondary. He has done it officially for a YANA fundraiser for three years now. In his first year he recited 605 digits, second year he upped it to 808 digits, and last year he recited more than 1100 digits! He has kicked off collecting his pledges and was hoping others would consider donating as well.
It’s easy, just go to https://www.
Big Love 2019 – Astounding Generosity!
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The electricity, the magic, and the generosity surrounding this year’s Big Love Benefit was astounding. YANA supporters heard about the growing need for services and about the impact YANA assistance makes for local families. They came together with a resounding “CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!”
Heaps of big love to everyone that had a hand in this record breaking year!
Meet YANA Big Love WestJet raffle winner Lana!
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What a magical winning moment!
Lana was in the house at the Florence Filberg Centre on Friday night at the 2019 Big Love Event when the winning name…HER name was called (note: winner did not need to be in attendance). And that was just the beginning, because this story is going to give you the feels!
In tears with the surprise of winning and all of the emotions of the night, Lana came to the edge of the stage to claim her prize. She asked to have the mic.
Nearly 400 event attendees and volunteers had just been introduced to an incredibly special YANA family through Karen McKinnon’s photo presentation. Touched by their story of challenge and resilience, Lana decided to pay it forward big BIG time. She announced that she wanted to donate the 2 Westjet tickets to little Kayden and Karris’s family! Lana multiplied this gift by adding in a stay at her family’s condo in Mexico. YANA board member Ashley joined the avalanche of generosity and offered to donate the additional 2 flights needed for the family of 4 to travel together if they could.
This story truly shows the profound feelings and actions of the night, and this community’s unbelievable support for YANA.
Congratulations Lana and thank you for creating a beautiful circle of giving!
And, of course, thank you to each and every volunteer who sold raffle tickets for us, and everyone who purchased a ticket!!
Photo credit: Ali Roddam
Big Love WestJet Raffle Tickets on Sale Now
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Show your support for children and families in the Comox Valley by purchasing a YANA Big Love WestJet Raffle ticket!
Click HERE to request tickets and a YANA volunteer will contact you to fulfill your order. Winning ticket will be drawn at the Big Love Benefit Event. *Winner does not need to be present at the draw on Feb 22, 2019.
Online Auction Bidding Starts January 22
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From Jan 22 (9am) to February 8 (9pm), the whole community can participate in Big Love through the YANA Online Auction. The online auction includes 4 pairs of coveted tickets to the sold out Big Love Gala night! Now everyone can see our community’s generosity, find cool stuff and be part of the BIG LOVE needed to support local families. Get started with the quick registration so you’re ready to place your first bid on January 22nd. Thank you for supporting YANA Big Love!
Find the online auction here: https://charityauction.bid/YANABIGLOVEONLINE
YANA Big Love Benefit set for Feb. 22
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Originally published by Comox Valley Record – January 15, 2019
YANA Big Love Benefit
Interested in attending the Big Love Benefit? Tickets go on sale Sunday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. and are sold online only through YANA Tickit Store. Tickets sell in a matter of minutes. Mark your calendars, set your alarms and join YANA for this upcoming event
On Friday, Feb. 22, a sold-out Florence Filberg Centre will be filled with guests ready to enjoy camaraderie, cuisine and lively bidding on hundreds of generously donated auction items. Among the highlights of this philanthropic evening will be a live auction led by the incomparable auctioneer, Dave Stevens and a delicious dinner provided by Tria Fine Catering. A moving photographic presentation showcasing a YANA family through the lens of photographer Karen McKinnon will round out the evening.
“So many emotions fill that room,” said community relations co-ordinator, Deanne McRae. “It’s a night like no other. It makes you beam with community pride at the level of kindness and caring that shows up.”
Since its inception in 1986, YANA has seen an ever-increasing need for the funding and accommodation assistance founder Sandra Williams envisioned. When she vowed that no Comox Valley family should ever be alone when dealing with the medical needs of their children and pregnant mothers, she likely never imagined how far-reaching YANA’s support for out of town travel would become.
“The increases YANA has seen in the past few years have been dramatic,” said executive director, Kelly Barnie. “We are now helping over 75 per cent more families than just five years ago.”
The Big Love Benefit is YANA’s largest annual fundraiser, netting well over $100,000 each year. The tickets typically sell out online in mere minutes, filling every seat in the house. With the physical capacity for the event unable to change, YANA has continued to search for ways to expand support for the event. The 2019 event will see an online auction component again, this year including the opportunity to bid on four pairs of the coveted Big Love event tickets. In addition, YANA’s board directors, volunteers and staff will be selling raffle tickets in the weeks leading up to the event for a roundtrip WestJet flight for two.
“We’re just so appreciative of the astounding support from our Big Love sponsors, donors and attendees at the event,” said Barnie. “The ability to reach the entire community through the online auction and WestJet raffle will help us to make sure our resources will keep pace with the need.”
YANA’s purpose is to improve access to healthcare by providing travel funding and accommodation for any Comox Valley family with a child or a pregnant mother needing medical care away from home. YANA maintains four furnished apartments near BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver and also provides accommodation in Victoria, Nanaimo, and in other treatment locations.
“When a family finds themselves needing our financial, logistical and emotional support, the value it provides them is priceless,” said McRae. “Many times a beautiful circle of giving is created. When a YANA family shares awareness of our services with others, they help make new connections with people who may want to volunteer, donate or fundraise in their honour. YANA is a real community.”
There are many ways to get involved in the YANA Big Love Benefit. You can donate an auction item, become a sponsor, purchase a WestJet raffle ticket or bid in the online auction from January 22nd to February 2nd. For more information on all these opportunities, visit www.yanacomoxvalley.com, email events@yanacomoxvalley.com or call 250-871-0343.
Christmas Crackers on sale NOW!
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Thank you so much to the many volunteers who came together to make our YANA Christmas Crackers! They are available for $3.00 each throughout the Comox Valley. Click here to find out where you can get yours.
New program for YANA families
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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.
