Friday, March 29, 2024

Family fundraises for hospital rocking chair in memory of Violet Christians

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The family of an infant who passed away due to congenital heart defects is raising money to buy a rocking chair in her memory.

Violet Christians was born on March 8th, 2017, and spent a large portion of her life at BC Children’s Hospital and Victoria General Hospital (VGH). After almost four months of complications and surgeries, she passed away at VGH.

A GoFundMe was organized in April for her parents, Sarah Coopsie and Mike Christians, and it raised over $22,000, helping them relocate to Vancouver and ease the financial burden of having a sick child.

Extra funds from that campaign have since been donated to various organizations and charities. However, this month, a new fundraising effort has started in Violet’s memory.

Days spent at hospital inspired unique fundraiser

Angela Thorneloe, Violet’s aunt, posted on Facebook, describing the new campaign. “My family spent many many hours, days and weeks sitting in the PICU with her and at the time we noticed the lack of comfortable seating for families,” she wrote.

“Part of my daughter’s work towards acceptance of the passing of her cousin (who she thought was her baby sister) was that we told her we would help her do something for the PICU that would come from her, in Violet’s name. We decided on purchasing a new rocking chair.”

So far, around $1000 has been raised through direct donations, but to make up the total of $2000, the family is selling cards on Etsy.

The cards are designed by Thorneloe’s daughter, with a beautiful butterfly design. They cost $6 each and – apart from small Etsy fees – all proceeds will go towards buying the chair.

Click here to purchase a card (or several) and help one family create a lasting legacy at Victoria General Hospital.

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Alistair Ogden
Former staff writer at Victoria Buzz.

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