News

YANA is generously upheld by the spirit and kindness of the Comox Valley. Check out what is going on and learn about amazing supportive efforts taking place within our community. We respect the privacy of our individual donors, as such this is a sampling of donations where public acknowledgement is appropriate.

Big thanks to the Andrew Sheret Ltd. team in Courtenay for an epic summer of BBQs and donations in support of YANA!

Your dedication and fundraising efforts brought in $6,684, making a huge impact on families in the Comox Valley. We truly appreciate all that you do each year to help raise money for YANA!

To all the lucky individuals that happily picked up a beautiful handmade bowl this summer at the annual Comox Valley Potters Club Chili Bowls for YANA fundraiser, thank you for helping us raise $5,640!!! 

THANK YOU to the endlessly talented folks at CV Potters Club who lovingly made each bowl and the heartiest chili. It’s no surprise that this event gets more and more popular each year!

Thank you Ted of Trueman Consulting for your ongoing support of YANA families and for your generous $2,000 donation this month! Your kindness means so much to us, and we truly appreciate the impact your contributions have on the families we serve.

Way to go Domino’s Pizza Comox and Dominos Pizza Courtenay for Raising the Dough for YANA throughout the month of August!!!

Our local Domino’s locations donated $5 for every pizza special sold using the YANA promo codes. That’s 180(!) pizzas enjoyed in support of YANA families across Comox Valley!

What a blast!! We’re sending a HUGE THANK YOU to The Raven 100.7 FM and all the incredible sponsors, volunteers and supporters that helped make this year’s Par-Tay on the Fairway at Saratoga Beach Golf Club such a huge success!! You helped us raise $4,500 and counting!!

Remember Susanne? Our incredible YANA mama who won the Dream Backyard from Driftwood Mall and Canadian Tire Courtenay a few months back?

Well, she’s put that fabulous prize to good use hosting a backyard BBQ and donating the proceeds back to YANA! THANK YOU Susanne for thinking of our dear YANA families and giving back in so many ways – you’re an inspiration!

2024 Comox Bike Co YANA Ride – Challenges Became Successes!

Posted on

The 2024 Comox Bike Co YANA Ride had a few nail-biting moments, but this truly incredible community put every worry to rest! 

A big goal was set and you were not deterred. Instead, you faced the challenge, and the Party in the Park day storm head-on, and together we raised an amazing $101,000 for YANA families! This year also marked the first-ever Golf Ball Drop, a new tradition that will surely be a fan favourite moving forward. 

To the 500+ compassionate donors, 240 dedicated riders, 46 generous sponsors, and 70 unstoppable volunteers—we want to THANK YOU! The success of this year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without the many hands and hearts that came together to support YANA. 

THAT’S the power of community! 

 

A big thanks to the Comox Valley Ladies Dart League for raising $1000 for YANA at their recent dart night!! Community-led fundraisers like this do more than just raise money – they also spread awareness throughout the Comox Valley about the vital support YANA offers!


A year of gratitude: a Comox Valley family’s journey and their commitment to YANA

Posted on

Family calls support received ‘indescribable’
The Girard Family has received ‘indescribable’ support through You Are Not Alone (YANA).

In May of last year, the Girard family’s world was flipped upside down by the news of young Hudson Girard’s diagnosis of a large brain tumour near his brain stem.

The situation moved very quickly; from an MRI in search of answers to packing up and heading to BC Children’s Hospital, where Hudson would undergo a gruelling 10-hour surgery. Thanks to the skllful hands of the medical team and Dr. Faizal Haji, Hudson’s tumour removal was a success.

“It was indescribable the support that we received,” explained Hudson’s dad, Eric Girard, when talking about YANA’s crucial role during this turbulent time. He shared how YANA’s assistance provided relief, supporting the family’s journey and stay in Vancouver. “When you get an absolute bombshell dropped on you like that, you don’t know what way is up or down, left or right. Talking to Kelly felt like some things were taken off of our plate, which helped reduce our stress levels. It was remarkable what YANA did for us. We are really, really lucky,” said Girard.

Now, just over a year later, Hudson and the Girard family are expressing their gratitude for YANA by participating in this year’s Comox Bike Co YANA Ride. They ride to support future YANA families, just like their own family was supported. The family has created a team, “Hudson’s Homies”, where each member will ride a total of 200 kilometres while raising money for YANA between August 1st and 18th. This annual ride highlights the critical work of YANA, raising both funds and awareness to ensure that families with children and pregnant mothers in the Comox Valley can access the specialized medical care they need.

The Girard family’s participation is a testament to the impact of YANA, showing that families are never alone in their time of need. Grateful for the generous help they received from their community, they are now honoured to pay it forward by fundraising to help other families. Hudson explained his decision to ride, “What our family went through was really hard, and YANA was there for us, so I want to support other families going through what we went through.”

At the time the article was written, Hudson’s Homies had already surpassed their initial goal of $5,000 raised, and have now set a new goal of $10,000. With the money their team has raised so far, YANA can support another family’s stay in Vancouver for nearly two months. To help Hudson and his Homies reach their goal, pledges can be made by clicking the “Register – Make a Pledge – Get Info” button at yanacomoxvalley.com.

Event organizers hope the community will rally behind the charity and the local families they serve to help reach their $100,000 fundraising goal. YANA executive director Kelly Barnie explains the impact of widespread support for the YANA Ride, “The enthusiastic participation and generous contributions from our supporters ensure that we can continue to provide vital assistance to families facing medical challenges, helping to alleviate some of their burdens and allowing them to focus on what truly matters – their loved ones.”

To participate in the 2024 Comox Bike Co. YANA Ride, donate to a rider, or get more information about joining the fun at the August 18th Party in the Park, visit https://www.yanacomoxvalley.com/yana-event/ride/.

Thank you Fall River Logging and Forbidden Mechanical for raising $660 at your annual Employee Appreciation Golf Tournament!!! Thanks for supporting YANA families!