Fundraiser for Andrea

Family receives outpouring of community support to fund daughter’s life-saving surgery

Hundreds of people bid on live and silent auction items at the Waring House banquet hall on Friday night during a fundraiser for Andrea Taylor, the young Picton woman scheduled to have lifesaving abdominal surgery at a hospital in Cleveland. Andrea was born with twisted bowel syndrome, a congenital defect, and underwent surgery shortly after birth to correct the condition. Complications due to intestinal malrotation began in her teen years, and now at age 31 she is unable to eat or drink anything, instead receiving all her nutrition through an intravenous line. She and her parents, Keith and Valerie, have booked a life-saving operation for Andrea at the Cleveland Clinic where her intestines will be removed and replaced in the anatomically correct position. Due to the urgency of Andrea’s condition, they have already made a payment of over $71,000 to secure the operation, which is expected to cost $175,000. OHIP has refused to cover any costs. Firstly, OHIP required approval by an Ontario surgeon who was competent to perform the surgery, but none could be found. Secondly, OHIP’s policies prevent any funding whatsoever once a family makes a payment.

Valerie Taylor (R) reads a letter from daughter Andrea while her husband, Keith, looks on.

Upon hearing of Andrea’s plight, the Wellington Lions Club decided to hold a fundraiser to help cover some of the cost of the operation. At the same time, Norah and Christopher Rogers of the Waring House and musician Mark Despault were also planning a fundraiser. The groups joined forces and within three short weeks the Lions Club collected over 180 live and silent auction items, Despault had arranged for four bands to play, and the Waring House provided complimentary hot and cold snacks as well as the net bar receipts plus tips. The event raised over $25,000, the majority of which came from the auction items. Auctioneer Boyd Sullivan led some spirited bidding for the live auction items, sometimes prompting bidders to spontaneously raise their bids. He took a slightly different tack for one item, a glass sculpture by Brenda Englefield. He encouraged people to simply contribute $20 and have the sculpture remain at the Waring House as a tribute to Andrea, ending up with a total donation of $1,310. Another significant donation of $2,500 came from St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Wellington.

Andrea was unable to attend the fundraiser. Her health is far too fragile, and instead she wrote a letter that her mother read. “I’m so incredibly grateful for this fundraising event tonight and I’m so sorry I’m not able to attend. Making the decision to go public with my condition and the situation I was in with OHIP was an incredibly hard decision for my family and I. The support we have seen from the community has been absolutely overwhelming. I cannot believe what an amazing night this has turned into.”

Andrea’s surgery is scheduled for April 27, and she will require up to eight weeks of post-operative care, the cost of which is in addition to that for the operation. Right now the family is waiting, and will make the drive to Cleveland for the surgery. “We have booked in April, but they are trying to get her in sooner. We are ready to go at a moment’s notice when we get the word,” said Keith. “I’ve shed quite a few tears tonight and it’s unbelievable the outpouring of this community. I know it’s really helping to lift her spirits, which is good. We just can’t thank the people enough. Everybody has just come together and it’s fantastic.”

To make a donation directly to the family, contact this newspaper at 613.399.2407 for more information.