Hi there, it’s Kate and Dayne blogging today.

Carol has invited us to share our recent decision to leave Canada and go to South Africa for Kate’s medical treatment (some of you may know I have been battling what we understand may be a parasitic bacteria, similar to Lyme). So after consulting numerous doctors and specialists, it has become clear that we need to go to the expert, who just so happens to be in Johannesburg, South Africa.

We have family in Durban and Cape Town and intend spending time in both cities after our initial consults with the doctor.

We will be flying out 1st September 2015, which only leaves us with 4 weeks in Ottawa. We will be spending some time with good friends for the last week of August.

It’s almost been 6 months we would have been in this beautiful country of Canada and we have so much to be grateful for. 

And so we reflect here and thank each of you who so warmly embraced our arrival in the melting Spring snow, took us into your homes as almost strangers and then made it a magical summer!  We feel we leave as friends.

We would like to especially thank:

Jeannie and Al, who made us feel right at home here in William’s Court and took us under their wing. We loved the road trips and chatting over flat-whites (a coffee that got our attention in New Zealand and is also  becoming popular here in Canada too.)

Jo-anne, thank you for your peaceful energy and teaching us how to transcend. We loved meeting your friends and family in Chelsea and having dinner with you. 

Brittany and Shawn. You spoilt us with dinners and trips to art galleries, music fests and even a trip to your cottage in Quebec. It is a forever memory we will treasure. Living, laughing and loving the lake... you are so much fun!

Danny, Katie, Isaiah and Caleb. The globe trotting clan that we adore. Thank you for your love and hospitality. You know how to make moments matter! Was great hanging out with you at the soccer championships and sharing safari stories. You have such depth and spirituality. Your children are incredible! Thank you for your genuine care for us and T&C. 

Thank you Louise and Peter for making us feel like royalty in your home town. We love Montreal! 

Thank you Rosie and Scott for making our hearts race with fast cars and delicious Italian cuisine . We are still talking about that 11 course meal!

Thank you Heather, Andy, Carol and Annemarie. You are those kind of people that we feel we have always known. It was a privilege to walk with you. 

Most of all thank you to Carol & Travis, Dory and Buddy who made their home ours. There have been lots of making moments matter. Going to Cirque de Soleil’s Varekai with you was indeed a highlight. Absolutely riveting and beautiful (a story about Icarus, you may like to click on the link and enjoy a short video clip). 

So as we fly out early Autumn and seasons change, Al and Shirley will arrive (Trav’s and Dayne’s parents) to enjoy the Fall. 

We have 4 weeks left and we are making Sunday evenings our awesome foursome family time.  Each of us gets to choose a meal and something we consider fun. 

We are so glad that there are so many circles of support on so many levels and we know that friends and family will continue to share the care and live, love and laugh all the way. 

Lots of love to everyone,
Kate and Dayne

Get Ready to Get Wet!  The Ice Bucket Challenge is coming back!


#EveryAugustUntilACure

Hello,

For those of you who have not heard the ALS Society of Canada has been chosen to be one of the charity recipients for HOPE Volleyball this year.  If all goes well and the event is successful up to $25,000 will be donated to the client services in my region.  It has been designated to a pilot project for caregivers in order to provide some respite services starting 2016.  In addition to the funds,  we receive increased awareness through media coverage and advertising of the event.

For us to be charity recipients we must agree to provide 56 volunteers for the day of the tournament.  Our volunteers will be supporting security at the event by keeping eyes and ears open and notifying the official security if we see something of concern.  I still need 12 volunteers for the afternoon shift – 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  For your volunteer services you will receive a t-shirt, lunch, bandana and an opportunity to attend a volunteer recognition event.

If you have a family member or friend that would be interested in volunteering can you please have them contact me as soon as possible.  I can take a big sign of relief once my 56 volunteers are obtained.

Thank you very much.  Have a wonderful weekend.
Lianne

Lianne Johnston, M.A.
Regional Manager, Eastern Ontario (Quebec border west to Napanee)

ALS Society of Canada
3000 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 200,
Markham, Ontario L3R 4T9
(T)1-800-267-4257 ext. 223
(F)1-905-248-2019