A terrifying situation for a Campbell River family has turned into a giant fundraiser for the Campbell River hospital.
The Uren family was sent into turmoil recently when they’re youngest son, Jacob, 6, fell off the family’s sundeck. Jacob was trying to slide down the railing from the second storey into the backyard when he fell over the edge. He cracked his skull from the top, down to the base of his neck.
Jacob was taken to Campbell River hospital where things went from bad to worse. He started throwing up and couldn’t keep his eyes open. He had blood on his brain and doctors consulted with the neurosurgeon at B.C. Children’s Hospital on Jacob’s medical treatment. He stayed in a quiet room while his brain could heal.
After hearing about the accident, family friends formed a Facebook group, ‘Get better Jake Uren’ where people who wanted to help out could.
They had the opportunity to drop off groceries, and meals, and snacks for the Uren’s other two sons to help Jacob’s parents while they were staying at the hospital. The group started with a modest group of friends and has grown to more than 600 and counting.
A bank account was set up at TD Canada Trust bank for the family, as well as an account at the bottle depot.
A garage sale to help raise funds takes place this Saturday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. while a fun fair runs from 1-4 p.m. with games, prizes, a cake walk, a photo booth, and costumes. Both events will be held at the Willow Point Hall. All proceeds, as well as money raised previously, will go the Campbell River hospital.
“We have decided as a group that the money raised (bottles, commissions, garage sale donations, monetary donations) should be donated to the Campbell River hospital,” reads a post on the ‘Get better Jake Uren’ Facebook page. “The staff at the Campbell River hospital have been absolutely outstanding. No one foresees tragedies, injuries or illness or wishes them upon anyone, but unfortunately they happen and with donating the money there everyone can benefit whether it’s directly or indirectly.”
And there’s good news on Jacob’s help too.
He has been recovering much faster than doctors had expected, however he is still going to have a long recovery ahead of him, but he’s on the mend.
Anyone who would like to donate to the garage sale can drop off items at 390 Elizabeth on Friday or at the Willow Point Hall on Saturday before 8 a.m. Bottles can also be dropped off at 390 Elizabeth until this Sunday. For more information call 250-204-2931.