The Sea to Sky Sirens roller derby team is known for bone-crunching hits, crowd-pleasing jams and cheeky outfits, but the team is showing its softer side with a fundraiser this weekend in support of a close friend.
Mark Smith, the husband of Sirens member Jane Smith, was hospitalized on Jan. 19 after experiencing severe pains in his stomach. After being diagnosed with pancreatitis, Smith was then put on kidney dialysis and was also diagnosed with sepsis.
Smith suffered three heart attacks in 2009 and is stricken with ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and atrial fibrillation
In short, he's a sick man.
"We are still on an hour-to-hour basis on which way he could go," said Marylou Terryberry, Smith's mother-in-law. "He is sedated while all this is going on. The mental and emotional stress is very hard but financially it is even harder."
Jane, who is the main wage earner in the family, has been by his side since he got sick and has been unable to work. She said she will not leave his side until the doctors say he is on his way to recovery, and it's not clear when that will be.
In that spirit, the Sirens have decided to host a beer-and-burger fundraiser at the Cliffside Pub on Saturday (Feb. 4) from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be a silent auction and all the money raised will help Smith and her family in the coming months.
"I am happy to say we are almost sold out for the fundraiser and the community has been overwhelming with their donations to both the silent auction and donations," said Sirens member Naomi Larocque.
"The Sea to Sky Sirens will be donating all proceeds to the fundraiser from the sale of our T-shirts. Others have donated hotel accommodations for Jane to stay close to the hospital, as well as meals and gift cards for local grocery stores to assist in the meal prep and ease the burden for lunches for their two young sons, Luke and Andrew."
As of Tuesday (Jan. 31), there are only 40 tickets left but anyone interested is encouraged to contact Sirens members Larocque, Coree McIntosh or Chantal Duarte. Those who can't make it to the fundraiser but want to help can do so via PayPal using the email address [email protected] for donations.
For more information on the Sirens, visit www.squamishrollerderby.ca.
