If you are a regular blog reader you will know that Y.A.N.A. is close to my heart and you will know why. If not, read on:

Y.A.N.A (You are not alone) is a local organization that helps families in the Comox Valley cope with the financial burden of having to travel outside of the Valley for medical treatment for their children.  Y.A.N.A operates four lovely appartement close to Chilcren's Hospital in Vancouver but will also help fund other accomodations and provides support in other areas as well.

About four years ago, I picked up the phone and called Y.A.N.A as I wanted to get involved. I had reached a point in my business and life where I wanted to step up how I contributed. Y.A.N.A was an orginization that I kept hearing about, I was toubhed by how many of my clients had used their services. I picked up the phone and called them. 

Two weeks later I called them back.

I wasn't available to help anymore.

My then, four year-old step-daughter had just been daignosed with leukemia. Suddenly, Y.A.N.A took on a whole different meaning in my life.

That was about three years ago. After her diagnosis Maggie and John lived in a Y.A.N.A. appartement for quite some time. I am not sure what this time in their life would have looked like without the Y.A.N.A. apartment. The apartment was an important place for them, a place to rest, escape, breath - a place to receive phone calls, make dinner, have visitors.

A year ago one of our other daughters needed medical support at Children's Hospital and once again there we were in a Y.A.N.A. apartement.

Of course, both times the aparment wa a blessing, we are not sure where we would have stayed otherwise. But what struck us, is that it meant so much more than the logistics.

When you are being supported by Y.A.N.A, and you are out of the community, the community is with you. A beuatiful thing people!!

Did you know that Y.A.N.A is one of a kind, this amazing charity does not exist in other communities (yet!)

Here are a few other local children that have been supported by Y.A.N.A.

Zac:

Ethan and Livea:

Ryder:

Carter:

Justin:

A beautiful way to end my day, with Gabrielle:

Faye +Savannah + rain + ice cream =

Hello new favorite children's photo -

Hello little sister sitting in beautiful light and gorgeous cheeks

These are part of a series I am doing with Benino Gelato. If you have been into the downtown location recently you will see a recent "ice-cream shoot" and we will be doing the same in their comox location.