ESTEVAN — The Estevan area continues to rally around four-year-old girl Aubrey Dyck, whose needs expensive therapy and an out-of-country surgery.
A pair of fundraisers were held at the Estevan Church of God, with a family night supper July 25 and a pancake breakfast the following day. Aubrey's father Tanner didn't have an attendance total for the events, but it blew away their expectations. He said their estimate is the events brought in a combined $4,000.
The family night featured barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs, along with salads, cookies and refreshments. Other highlights included yard games, bouncy castles, and stations with crafts and Play-Doh.
Pancakes, sausages and a variety of homemade items from Your Farmer's Wife were served at the breakfast, and the craft stations and yard games were back.
Tanner noted they had barely enough food for the barbecue, with only a couple of hamburgers and some salad remaining. They purchased extra items for the breakfast so they would be ready for the crowd.
He said the fundraising has been going well. His wife Kimberley created a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $34,000 of its $90,000 goal. With other recent fundraisers, they have $40,915.
"The community support has been great and we have a few events coming up through the summer," said Tanner.
One fundraiser would have a steak supper or an alternative main served to supporters. A location and date haven't been decided. A bottle drive is scheduled for Sept. 6.
Tanner believes they now have enough money to book the surgery and everything else that goes with the operation.
"It's just filling in the rest with the other therapies and the other doctor's visit," said Tanner.
Tanner said the operation will occur in Summit, N.J., and they hope it can occur in early October. A selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening (SPML) operation and rehabilitation will help her walk; in the past she has shuffled on her knees and hopped around for mobility.
"It's a very minimally-invasive operation to get to the tendons, muscles and nerves," said Tanner.
The $90,000 covers the cost of the operation, the travel and other expenses, as well as a return trip the following month to see another specialist.
Tanner said Aubrey was exhausted after the two fundraisers, as she had lots of fun with the activities the first night. And she spent time with friends and family on the second day.
"I think she was just excited to be part of something as big as it was, more than anything. She's always happy anyways, so it makes it so much easier to deal with it, but I think she was just excited to see so many new faces and people coming out to see her," said Tanner.
"She's a four-year-old kid. She's always excited to be doing something, so it was really good to see that she enjoyed herself for both events."
