Summerside - It is generous Islanders like Vanda Hazel of Summerside who make Dave and Mary Sudsbury proud to live on P.E.I.
When Hazel heard about the Sudsbury's 17-year-old granddaughter Karen Curtis' life-threatening heart defect, she instantly wanted to help.
"I have experienced what illness does to a family and I only hope that if I were in a situation like Karen's that someone would do the same for me," said Hazel.
Hazel is an independent distributor for the home, body and candles company Gold Canyon. All proceeds from the sale of the Candles for Kids candle go to the Prayer Child Foundation. People can then apply to the foundation for money on behalf of someone who is under the age of 18 and is suffering from a serious illness.
"I heard about Karen's illness through the article in the Journal last month and I applied the next day," explained Vanda. "I don't know Karen, but I have a teenager of my own and he went to Karen's brothers funeral this year. I saw what the family was going through."
Vanda was thrilled when she received a cheque for $1,000 from the Prayer Child Foundation to present to Karen's family.
The Sudsburys were overwhelmed with Hazel's unexpected donation.
"It puts a lump in your throat right quick," said Karen's grandfather. "We're some lucky to live on P.E.I. where Islanders are so generous."
The money will be put into the emergency trust fund that the Sudsburys created for Karen.
"If Karen receives her heart transplant some day she will have to take drugs every day for the rest of her life," explained Dave. "We have to prepare for things like that."
Since her artificial heart transplant on June 2 in Halifax, Karen has returned home to Richmond where she lives with her parents Donna and Bloyce Curtis.
"She's doing well," said Dave. "Everything is working the way it's supposed to."
He said she is living life like a typical teenager with a few setbacks. She is unable to work because of her condition and she needs to be watched 24-7.
Dave said the family is optimistic that Karen will be able to return to Grade 12 in the fall.
They are currently waiting patiently for the call to say there is a heart available for Karen, but for now they say she is committed to living every day to the fullest.
To purchase a candle or to apply for money on behalf of someone that is ill, visit Hazel's website at www.mygc.com/peiheavenscents.
