The annual IWK Telethon has been cancelled due to COVID-19, it was to take place this weekend, but that hasn’t stopped a Cape Breton teen from raising an impressive amount of money for the cause.
A few years ago says 14-year-old Alyssa Rose who lives in Coxheath,underwent surgery at the Halifax children’s hospital to remove a brain tumour.
When the tumour returned, she spent weeks at the IWK undergoing radiation treatment to shrink it.
Last year, Alyssa presented a cheque for $10,521 during the IWK Telethon in Sydney.
She was hoping to top that figure this year, but the fundraiser got off to a slow start. Then, COVID-19 hit, and the telethon, which was scheduled for this weekend, was cancelled.
But the teen wasn’t going to allow a pandemic to pause her fundraising efforts.
In the end after her fundraising, she not only reached her goal, but surpassed it — by $1 — for a new grand total of $10,522!!
Alyssa doesn’t want to take credit, instead pointing out that local businesses and community members still stepped forward to help her cause, despite their own pandemic struggles.
As for her health, Alyssa says she has been feeling well. While she hopes her hospital stays are over, she and her family plan to continue fundraising for the IWK Foundation, and being part of the telethon for years to come!
Way to go Alyssa!
https://beta.ctvnews.ca/local/atlantic/2020/6/1/1_4963311.html
The Telethon may not be happening this weekend, but you can still donate:
https://iwkfoundation.org/content/iwk-telethon
-Ian
Credits: ctvnews.ca
