Vegreville Businesses Raising Funds for Young Mother Battling Breast Cancer

Vegreville Businesses Raising Funds for Young Mother Battling Breast Cancer

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Stephanie Wowdzia and Courtney Yakimetz have been together through thick and thin since their early childhood days.

Courtney Yakimetz is a resident of the Vegreville area, a business owner, a mother, wife and friend to many near and far.

“I have known Courtney since elementary days but our friendship really grew when we both started our hairstyling careers in Vegreville, over 10 years ago.

Courtney and I have shared many milestones together. Weddings, babies, businesses, personal growth and set backs all while still maintaining a strong and supportive friendship. When I think of the title superwoman, it is Courtney.

Courtney’s cancer journey started back in 2019. She beat that cancer. In the fall of 2020 Courtney was 28 weeks pregnant when she received a new cancer diagnosis. Her treatment plans were chemotherapy, double mastectomy and eventually a hysterectomy after the birth of her baby.

Not only were these challenges happening during a pandemic they were faced with even more devastating news just four weeks into her treatment.

Courtney has now been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

Canada unfortunately has limited options to treat her and give her and her family the best possible chance of living life with cancer.

Financial burdens are upon many of us while living in the pandemic but that has not stopped the continuous support and offerings from so many businesses, makers, strangers, friends and family.”

Courtney recently received treatment in Tijuana, Mexico and is expected to return in three months. Stephanie said treatment costs tens of thousands of dollars and every donation made to her and her family will buy her time to be here with us.

“I know Courtney cherishes every single day she can wake up to her three beautiful children. Drayson, 6, Dallin, 4, Genevieve, 4 months, and her husband Michael. It not only means the world to them but to her entire family for the support they’ve received.”

One of the most recent fundraisers has been through Yaremcio Honey which has graciously donated 1kg jars of honey. Each jar is $20 and 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards the Yakimetz family. Dustin Yaremcio told the Vegreville News Advertiser that he had been thinking of Courtney since her last diagnosis and wanted to do something for her and her family in the hopes it will make a difference.

“My husband and I are working alongside Dustin Yaremcio in providing the locations, (UFA Vegreville and Blush Blonde Co.) for the honey pick up and donations.

While this is only one of the generous fundraisers happenings for Courtney and her family you can donate to her gofund me page as well as support some other local makers in Vegreville that are giving portions of their proceeds to Courtney. Crowded Nest Designs, 764 Customs, My Chickadee Creations, and Tudi Wraps to name a few.

The fundraiser through GoFundMe has been organized by Katrina Mickiewicz. In an update on Feb. 9 Katrina said, “I will hang on to hope and pray for a miracle because friends don’t let friends fight alone and we will never back down.” She encouraged people to help in Courtney’s battle with cancer. The goal is to raise $500,000 and so far more than $153,600 has been raised through GoFundMe.