this is the story of my friend Lucy* (*not her real name, though Lucy is a pretty good name for her too)

Lucy and I met a long time ago, in a different province when our lives looked a lot different than they do now. But back then I knew she was a generous, sweet & kind person and would be a friend for a long time. We reconnected about 3 years ago when we both found ourselves in Vancouver, on the other side of the country where we had first met. Life was great and exciting for both of us. She was starting some new ventures and by her side was her sweet dog who was also her best friend. She was also running more kilometres than I usually drive, and training for marathons. Running was another way she could express herself.

One Summer ago her best friend and canine companion suddenly passed away. It was unexpected and heartbreaking for her and for all of us who loved that dog as if she was our own. Lucy was sad for a long time, but she found a way to move on but to keep her sweet pooch always in her heart. Lucy, having the biggest heart in the world, adopted another dog eventually who desperately needed a home, and someone to love her. Lucky dog got Lucy, and Lucy got a new companion.

Last year Lucy’s back and hip began to hurt, she thought it was temporary and hoped that it could be fixed with rest and physio. Months went by and her back still hurt, she couldn’t run which was probably the thing that hurt even more. Now Lucy is self-employed, and has no health plan. I don’t know what an MRI costs, but she needed one and it told her that she had a herniated disk. An impossible diagnosis at her age, and one met with huge sadness but determination. Eight months went by of various therapies, doctors, dead-ends and hopeless statements from health practitioners that said “you may just have to live like this”. Lucy can’t walk her dog, or walk for more than 5 minutes at a time. She fell into a funk, a sadness, a dark place where she didn’t want to let anyone in.

Recently Lucy & her partner investigated a treatment option called Spinal Decompression that might just be the thing that works. But after already spending $7,000, she didn’t have the funds to pay for it. She felt hopeless again.

A few days ago, her loving and equally kind partner broke into her computer and wrote an email to all her contacts. He outed her sadness and depression and said they found something that could work. But that they needed help. He wanted his old Lucy back, as did we all. He said he would bike, hike, and run all three local Vancouver mountains in one day to raise funds for Lucy. I cried as I read his note. That a partner would shed light on a friends darkness, and offer a solution to make it ok again touched my heart.

He told her yesterday what he had done & she was furious. But then he said “we’ve raised $2,000 in four days” she was stunned.

So here is where I ask – have you ever given money to a stranger? I know I have. Lucy is no stranger to me, but I love her dearly and want her to have her life back. If you can help, even toss $5 into the pot, I would guarantee that the sun will shine on you forever, but you know how Vancouver weather is…

Please email me at cj(at)tellydesigns.com for more details or leave a comment below. Karma loves you, and thank you for reading.

*UPDATE* they met their goal. In fact, they exceeded their goal. Lucy gets her treatment, and Mike is currently on Mountain #3. He biked up Cypress, biked down, biked over to Grouse Mountain, hiked the Grind and is currently on his bike en route to Seymour. Then we’ll hug him and give him beer. THANK YOU from Lucy.