Greater Victorians have shown time and again that when someone is in need, their outpouring of support is unbeatable.
The local community is rallying for the daughter of Black Press inside sales supervisor Patty Doering, who is awaiting a liver transplant.
Cindy Hoffman, 42, is battling Silent Liver Disease and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), a rare, life-threatening form of liver disease and is on the Canada-wide waitlist for a transplant.
A rare blood type and the fact that she requires an entire liver, not a partial donation, makes things more challenging, but Hoffman is rising to it, with a positive outlook and a commitment to make a difference through her experience.
“All I care about each day is waking up happy. It’s about me saying I am sick, but I can do whatever I want,” Hoffman said from her home in Cranbrook. “No matter what sickness you have, don’t let it get you down and don’t let it ruin your life. People need to stop listening to the background noise.”
Encouraged by those she has inspired, Hoffman is launching a blog where she’ll reflect on her experiences as she waits for a suitable liver.
Once a liver becomes available, Hoffman will need to travel to Edmonton for the surgery and have someone there with her for three months following. The fundraising will help support those costs that aren’t covered by the medical system.
Black Press staff in Greater Victoria are undertaking a series of fundraisers to assist the family with these expenses, and Black Press is generously matching all the funds raised by staff.
Coming up, the community is invited to a fundraising barbecue May 9 at Country Grocer Esquimalt, where from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Country Grocer’s chef Michael Williams will be cooking up burgers in support of the Hoffman/Doering family.
Country Grocer has generously donated all the food for the fundraiser, where an expertly grilled burger with all the fixings and a drink can be had for just $5.
“When Penny (Sakamoto, Black Press group publisher) called me about Patty and her daughter’s situation, I knew we had to help,” says Tammy Averill, Country Grocer marketing manager.
“Patty works with us on our Friends & Family magazine and helps make it the great publication it is. Also, Black Press has been very supportive of our causes and events over the years so it’s nice to be able to give back.”