For My Ouma surpasses $11,000 mark

Submitted by EKFH on 01-06-2012 Cranbrook, BC… Marina Simons’ tribute to her Ouma is more than a story of love of family it has grown to one of love of community and a keen desire to give back.   When the East Kootenay Foundation for Health launched its A Clear View ~ digital mammography campaign last October, Marina set her plan in place to dye her hair hot pink.   Then on her birthday May 25 she, in a testament of love, had her head shaved to support those who lives have been lost and those who are challenging breast cancer. Over the past month, Marina set out a personal challenge to raise $10,000 to help bring a digital stereotactic mammography machine to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.     Her family, friends and even some strangers did not disappoint as the beautiful (inside and out) Marina has now graced EKFH with a total of $11,079.97 in donations.   Joining her along the way were many business owners, students from the St Mary’s School, physicians and their families.        The next morning after the head shave her husband, Dr. Gertjan Simons a surgeon at EKRH, woke early and shaved his head to celebrate his wife’s achievement.    Marina shares, “When I saw what Gertjan had done I was so proud of our family and was honoured that we all made a difference for not just my Ouma but others.”     The 2-year, one million dollar fundraising campaign sits at just over $800,000 towards its goal.   By making a donation to the A Clear View women and men who face a breast cancer diagnosis will benefit from having the best in breast cancer care at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.   To make a donation in honour of someone you love or for your community go to our EKFH’s secured website www.aclearview.ca.

  Dr. Gertjan & Marina Simons and their children Nina and Adrian