Not going it alone

The town of Point Leamington and surrounding communities are helping her dream become reality.

Less than two months ago, residents of the small communities set out to help raise $15,000 for Ms. Ward to travel to Tychy, Poland, where Dr. Jacek Kostecki is scheduled to perform the ‘Liberation’ treatment, which is a new technique developed by Italian researcher Dr. Paolo Zamboni in 2009.

On Aug. 18, the goal was surpassed after a sing-a-long concert held in Ms. Ward’s hometown raised over $4,000.

“I told her ‘we wouldn’t have to do anymore fundraisers because when we come out of the sing-a-long, you’ll have your $15,000,’” said Yvonne Janes, one of the many people involved in the fund raising effort. “And she did. In less than two months, we have raised over $16,000. For a small town, with 800 population, we have done marvelous. Something like this, we would give our last dollar. Not just for Cora, but for anybody who we thought was going to benefit in some way. The people are behind them.”

Ms. Ward’s emotional response to the quick fundraising effort was pure.

The people have come together so well. I guess everybody wants to see me walk again. I hope my life will be a little bit better because of it. - Cora Ward

“It’s fantastic,” Ms. Ward said. “It was too much to believe really because $15,000 is a lot of money for less than two months. And it’s still coming in. The people have come together so well. I guess everybody wants to see me walk again. I hope my life will be a little bit better because of it. People are behind me 100 per cent. It’s just wonderful.”

Along with the sing-a-long which was organized by Ed and Paulette Andrews who are formally from Point Leamington, there was a bingo game held in Leading Tickles; Donna Warford from Point Leamington made and donated a quilt, which was sold on tickets; Ms. Ward’s son had a yard sale in Fort McMurrary, raising $875 for his mother; and Ms. Ward’s nephew, Stephen Sheppard, who is a professional photographer, professionally framed a picture which was sold on tickets.

“The surrounding communities pull together because they know everybody here as well,” Ms. Janes said.