It's been a rough year for the Blake family but the generosity of Squamoleans is shining through during the family's trying times.
Back in March, five-year-old Jasmine Blake fell ill after complaining for weeks about her head hurting. After getting her checked out, the diagnosis was grim - the youngster had a brain tumour.
The follow-up treatment needed for Jasmine was not available in Canada and the family was forced to travel to Boston for "proton therapy" to help minimize the risks associated with radiation therapy. The Blakes remain in Boston but B.C.'s Medical Services Plan only covers the cost of the treatment and not all of the other costs associated with the trip.
In that spirit, Squamish residents have stepped up and the most recent example of that is the Brackendale Babes annual garage sale, which this year will see all proceeds from the annual event to help the Blake family out.
"We do this as an annual garage sale and a few of us knew about the Blake situation and it was an easy decision for us to donate our funds to them," said Kate Gentil of the Brackendale Babes. "We've teamed up with the Blake fundraising committee and already the generosity from the community has been huge."
Gentil said the group already has a huge number of items and for the first time ever will have a "boutique" section with more posh items available. She added that the Blakes are looking at needing closer to $100,000 as opposed to the original $70,000, but the family is doing well.
"The whole family is there in Boston but I've heard she's doing really well," she said. "It's a hard thing for the family and quite scary but they're a strong family."
She added that in past years the event has raised as much as $1,300, but this year they're hoping for $2,000. Those who still want to help can donate to an account at Squamish Savings. Also planned for the event is a bake sale and a raffle draw. Gentil said there are plans to have a family camp day to benefit the Blakes sometime in the summer.
The Brackendale Babes annual garage sale will take place on Saturday (April 28) from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Brackendale Art Gallery.
For more information on the event, type in "Brackendale Babes" into the search bar on Facebook.
