We have known Rose Schwarz and her family for about 3 years – we met them shortly after we moved up here to B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. They are good, decent, hardworking, kind, generous people, and they have been through so much in the last few years. We care very much about them, and that is why I am writing this post.
Rose suffers from a very rare disease called gastroparesis, and as a result, is unable to eat. ( she survives via a feeding tube ) She is constantly in pain, and suffers a variety of symptoms – none of which are pleasant. Because she is so tiny, people wrongly make assumptions that she has an eating disorder. If they only knew the truth, perhaps they would be more compassionate.
Rose has endured many procedures and surgeries in the quest to find a way to make her life less difficult, but so far, nothing has really helped. It has all come down to a surgery that is booked for April 25th in Calgary – a gastroectomy, which will mean removal of her stomach. Her esophagus will be attached to her small intestine, and eventually, she’ll be able to actually eat small amounts of food for the first time in ages.
The bottom line is: the family needs help with funds to get to Calgary, meals, accommodations etc. They don’t like to ask for help, but this is their daughter’s life at stake, quite literally.
Next Saturday, there will be a Fundraiser for Rose at Robert’s Creek Hall, from 7:30-11:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 each, and include entertainment by some wonderful local musicians, as well as a Silent Auction. Tickets can only be purchased in advance at: Gaia’s Fair Trade in Gibsons, MELOmania in Roberts Creek, or Strait Music in Sechelt. It will be a fun night out, for a very worthy cause.
If you are unable to attend but would like to help, cheques can be made out to “The Rose Fund” at the Sunshine Coast Credit Union, P.O. Box 375 Sechelt, B.C. V0N3A0. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Here are a couple of more in-depth articles recently written about Rose: in the Coast Reporter , and in The Province.
As I’ve mentioned, we know Rose personally, and think the world of her. She is beautiful, intelligent, creative, funny, and has so much to give to this world. I hope that some of you out there are able to help out – it would mean so much to them, and to us.
Thankyou for taking the time to read this, and for your kindness and compassion.
We love you, Rose !!!
