News

You Are Not Alone helps girl with seizure disorder

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Originally published by the Comox Valley Record, March 26, 2025

Raynee Novak – Comox Valley Record

Chanel Martin is busy learning the ropes of her daughter’s battle with seizures while keeping her life in order.

Carrera Wiesselmann started having seizures when she was just two. She was taken to specialists and put on seven different medications but still suffering from seizures.

“She was still having seizures, we couldn’t figure out why. That’s when we started going to BC Children’s Hospital and they were able to test her there,” said Martin.

It was during that stay at BC Children’s Hospital that Carrera underwent a week-long electroencephalography (EEG) to find the underlying cause of her seizures. Doctors discovered that she had a tumour on her left frontal lobe.

“It’s a slow growing grade level one,” Martin explains of the tumour.

She underwent surgery to remove the tumour but only 90 per cent could be removed as it was attached to her speech memory. Carrera continues to live with 10 per cent of the tumour and regularly goes to have MRI’s completed to check on the tumour.

Not only does YANA help Martin out with getting Carrera to her often last minute appointments at BC Children’s Hospital, they have helped find her coverage through other funding for Carrera’s very expensive medications.

“One is about $200 a month and the other is $400 every two months. [YANA] helped me figure out funding for her medication.”

“It has been a super relief in knowing that YANA is there to help me because I’m still navigating myself throughout this and worried about all of this stuff. I couldn’t afford to go over to Vancouver and miss work. They have just been so wonderful and I can reach out to them anytime. About anything,” shared Martin of her experience with YANA.

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The Valley Vonka – a major fundraiser for YANA, is ongoing in the Comox Valley. Businesses throughout the community are selling chocolate bars (by donation) with the chance to find one of five Golden Tickets inside the bar. A Golden Ticket qualifies the redeemer to one of five grand prizes, values anywhere from $780 to $1,000.

Chocolate bars are available at:

Ready, set, chocolate: Your golden ticket awaits in the 2025 Valley Vonka Contest

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Originally published by the Comox Valley Record, March 26, 2025

Black Press Media Staff  – Comox Valley Record

The Comox Valley Record and Parker Appliances are back with the sweetest contest of the year: the 2025 Valley Vonka.

And let’s give a huge shout-out to Dustin and Lisa from Parker Appliances for making it all possible – thanks to you both. Thanks to Adil Amlani (Sure Copy) for donating the chocolate bar wrappers and canvas, and Lisa Joan for designing Olivia the Octopus.

This isn’t just any contest – we’re talking about a treasure hunt for five gold tickets more than 3,000 delicious chocolate bars from the Comox Valley’s own Hot Chocolates scattered throughout participating businesses in the Valley. Each donation directly supports YANA, making your calorie sacrifice truly worthwhile.

Here’s how to join the fun: Mark your calendars, as the hunt kicks off on March 26 and continues until April 16. Check out the Valley Vonka section in the Wednesday issues of the Record March 26, April 2, 9 and 16  editions for contest details, deadlines, chocolate bar locations, and everything in between. The more chocolate bars you acquire, the higher the chance of winning one of the five coveted golden tickets.

Each golden ticket is worth between $780 and $1,000. Prizes include:

  • The Ultimate Relaxation Package: A luxurious stay at The Old House Resort & Spa, a delectable dinner at a local restaurant, and a family spa day (Value: $1,000)
  • A Healing Escape: Experience the magical Healing Caves at The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa, an experience for four (Value: $780)
  • Save on Fuel: A Peninsula Co-Op Gas Card (Value: $1,000)
  • Shopping Spree Time: A Canadian Tire Shopping Spree (Value: $1,000)
  • Grocery Goodness: A Quality Foods Gift Card (for Comox and Courtenay stores – Value: $1,000)

Found a Golden Ticket? Don’t wait! You must validate your ticket at the Comox Valley Record office (407D Fifth Street, Courtenay) by April 28 to claim your prize.

Last year Comox Valley residents helped us raise $17,949.11. This year, we’re aiming even higher – $22,000. We’re counting on you to get behind this fantastic initiative and make it the sweetest success yet. All proceeds from your donations of chocolate bars go to Y.A.N.A.

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The Valley Vonka – a major fundraiser for YANA, is ongoing in the Comox Valley. Businesses throughout the community are selling chocolate bars (by donation) with the chance to find one of five Golden Tickets inside the bar. A Golden Ticket qualifies the redeemer to one of five grand prizes, values anywhere from $780 to $1,000.

Chocolate bars are available at:

A heartfelt thank you to the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church and its congregation for choosing YANA as your Mission of the Month! Your generosity brings comfort and support to local families when they need it most.

A huge thank you to the Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club for sharing their final donations with YANA and other local charities. Your years of generosity will leave a lasting impact in our community!

🚨🔥 HUGE THANK YOU to the amazing Joyce and the incredible team at FortisBC for their super generous $300.00 donation through their Employee Giving Program! 💥💸

Thanks to people like Joyce and community-driven organizations like FortisBC, we’re able to keep spreading the love and support that truly CHANGES LIVES! 💖🌟 Your kindness fuels our passion, and we are beyond grateful! 🙌

Big Love 2025: An Unforgettable Night of Compassion and Connection

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Comox Valley, you never cease to amaze us. Thanks to your generosity and unwavering support, the Big Love 2025 Benefit raised an astounding $242,000 for YANA families!

This year’s event was a powerful reminder of what makes this community so extraordinary. From the heartfelt bids in our auction to the joyful reunions and warm welcomes around the dinner tables, every moment was filled with the kind of love that turns hard times into hope.

Because of you, families facing the unimaginable won’t face it alone. Because of you, questions and doubts are transformed into plans and security.

We are humbled and deeply grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, guest, and supporter who made this night possible. Your kindness is the heart of everything we do, and your support changes the story for YANA families every single day.

From the bottom of our very full hearts, thank you for standing with us. Thank you for proving—once again—that we are a community united by kindness, connection, and a shared commitment to one another.

With deepest gratitude and Big Love,

The YANA Team 💖

Big love to Gordon & Shannon for their generous donation to YANA families! Your kindness helps keep families close when it matters most—thank you for making a difference!

Huge thanks to Kim H. for chopping her locks (hair) in support of YANA! Your kindness (and fresh new look!) will make a big difference for local YANA families.

Thank you to the lovely Berwick Comox Valley community for hosting a delectable Pancake Breakfast for YANA – raising over $2800 and celebrating the contributions our incredibly dedicated volunteers have made throughout the years in support of local families! You filled our bellies and our hearts with your generosity and kindness!

Huge thanks to Plateau Temple No. 7 Pythian Sisters for your generous donation! Your support means so much to YANA families and our community.