Earlier this month we introduced you to seven year old Michaela Wood who suffers from LMNA Muscular Dystrophy. Not much is known about LMNA Muscular Dystrophy but studies have shown that adults with the disease are at significant risk of serious heart problems including arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death. In December, Michaela’s parents – Penny and Mike – decided to sign Michaela up for a LMNA Heart Study in Barcelona, Spain.
Michaela and her father Mike will travel to Spain on January 26th, where Michaela will have an implant called a Medtronic LINQ device. “This device will monitor the hearts rhythm 24 hours a day/7 days a week and transmits data directly to the cardiology team in Spain through Bluetooth. It can also give early notification of deadly arrhythmias which could then possibly be treated. The cardiologists involved will use this data to aide in their research and hopefully lend a hand in one day finding a cure”, explained the Woods’.
The medical and hospital expenses are covered by the trial, but travel and accommodation fees are not. So, with the help of some family and friends, the Wood’s family went into full fundraising mode – and what they received from the community was more than these thankful parents could have ever hoped for.
First, the family launched an online crowdfunding campaign with Chestermere based LegUp.ca where they set the goal of $7000 and hoped to raise that by January 16th. They hit their $7000 target a few days before their goal date but funds kept pouring in via other methods as well. In December a bake sale was also held at St. Gabriel School in Chestermere where close to another $1000 was raised. Over the past few weeks other donations came in by way of cheques and cash directly to the Wood’s family from local residents, businesses and service groups.
The finale was a fundraising event that took place on Sunday January 17th from 11am – 2pm at the Chestermere Recreation Centre. Tickets were available to be pre-purchased in the weeks leading up to the event, and in the days prior event organizers were becoming increasingly concerned as only 40 tickets had been sold. But, if you’ve lived in Chestermere long, you know that we always support our own….and that we did.
The January 17th event had the main hall of the rec centre packed with families all out to support Michaela and her family. The event included bouncy castles, a magician, balloon animals, face painting, games, snacks and a 50/50 draw in which $400 was won by Chestermere resident Morgan Matheson who generously donated back to Michaela and her family.
Tables in the hallway outside of the main hall were lined with donated raffle items and even before the party reached the half way mark, the raffle tickets sold out. The Wood’s family deeply wants to thank everyone who donated online and the following who donated financially or by way of raffle items to the event:
Golf Canada Calgary Centre
Chestermere Minor Hockey
Our Lady Of Wisdom Elementary
Rainbow Creek Elementary
East Lake School
St. Gabriel School
Camp Chestermere
Pet Planet Chestermere
Luna Hair Salon
All Wrapped Up
Epicure (Krista Mainprize)
Love Life Fitness
Shoppers Drug Mart Chestermere
Magic Moments & Disappearing Acts
Scentsy (Susan Hobby)
Carnival For Kids At Heart
Pinks & Plates Chestermere
West Creek Auto Wash
Dr. Derek MacNeil
Laurel Suignard
The Canada Golf Centre
Chestermere Rec Centre
Caribbean Sun Tanning Spa
Melaleuca (Aimee Boulton)
Leela Aheer
Caylee Dahl
CMHA Parent Party Committee
Corey & Christine Larocque
Chestermere Lions Club
Calgary Flames
FitMom
The Chestermere Anchor
Rockyview Newsletter
The General Store
Resort of Canadian Rockies
Canadian Popcorn Supplies
ECI Learning Academy
Lakeshore Esthetics & Tanning
Trendy Legz
Chestermere Pubic Library
Pacific Place Canadian Tire
Harley Davidson of Calgary
LegUp.ca (Michelle Young)
MedSpa at Lifepath Wellness
Chestermere Womens Group
I Love Leggings
Jugo Juice S.W. Calgary
Pretty In Skin Laser Studio Inc
Starbucks Chestermere
North Tap House Chestermere
Waggers (Suzy Vadori)
Glenn & Kathy Sorenson
Brown’s Social House Chestermere
Boston Pizza Chestermere
Cindy Hamilton
Nec’s Liquor Store Chestermere
Staples NE Calgary
Chestermere Community Playschool
Global T.V. – Heather Yourex-West
Pita Basket
Subway Chestermere
When all was said and done, Sunday’s fundraiser brought in an additional $4669.50!!
“We are overwhelmed with all the community support we have received. We cannot thank everyone enough. Michaela will be heading to Spain with her father on January 26th and her surgery is scheduled for January 28th. As this trip is the first of a series related to this heart study, the money raised through the LegUp campaign and the fundraiser party will help with all those trips”, said Penny Wood.
