A burger and beer fundraiser has been organized to help Nelson’s Katrina Fontaine pay for her surgeries.
On Friday, January 24, from 6 to 8 p.m., Finley’s Irish Bar and Grill will be hosting the event which includes a silent auction and other fun events.
Donations are currently being accepted for silent auction items and a wide variety of products and services are expected to be up for bids.
Tickets to the event are only $15 which allows you to have one of Finley’s burgers or veggie burger, and a beer, wine, cider, juice, pop, coffee or tea.
Fontaine, 26, has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is a genetic condition affecting the collagen in her body. Collagen makes up the body’s connective tissue, which holds or “glues” the body together.
Because of these neurological issues, Katrina spends most days in bed either at home or in the hospital. She cannot eat because of difficulty swallowing and poor function of her stomach. The compression of her brainstem causes regulation problems with her heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
She was diagnosed in the United States with the rare condition in October 2012 after having no answers to her symptoms and needing many surgeries over 15 years.
Her American surgeon, who has treated Ehlers Danlos Syndrome patients from 40 different countries, predicts an 80 per cent return of the functions lost if she has surgery. However, The surgeries have never been performed on a person with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in Canada and Katrina doesn’t qualify for out-of-country funding because of a doctor’s contradicting diagnosis.
Katrina is the daughter of Roger Fontaine, a Nelsonite who is a big part of the community. He is well-known for helping with training athletes for years with local triathlon and donating countless hours and monies to Rotary.
Roger worked for BC hydro for years and now is employed by Martek.
Donations to this cause can also be made through CIBC account 7513135, Transit number 00070.
The goal is to raise $200,000 for Katrina.
To drop off donations or silent auction items, go to one of the following locations:
• Finley’s Irish Bar and Grill (705 Vernon Street)
• Fair Realty (105-402 Baker Street)
• Village Ski Hut (637 Baker Street)
Anyone with any questions is encouraged to contact Yvonne Kiwior at yckiwior@shaw.ca or Tanya Finley at finleysbar@shaw.ca.