Latest news with #GoFundMe
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Edmonton's Kingsway Legion looking to downsize, considering sale
Edmonton's largest legion is considering downsizing. Kingsway Legion Branch #175 has called a special meeting to discuss the sale of its building, due to ongoing financial strain. Veteran Richard Etmanski, Branch #175 president, said it comes as bills and building repairs have left the legion 'mortgage poor.' 'They were doing fine when the building first opened and there were a lot of events going on in here, but then COVID hit and that caused a lot of problems,' Etmanski said. The branch, like many other Royal Canadian Legion branches, struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, as public health measures eliminated revenue from event rentals, canteens and bars. In 2022, Branch #175 launched a GoFundMe that raised $63,540 to help pay the bills and make repairs to the building. A series of meat draws organized by 100.3 The Bear helped raise another $85,000 for the cause and, that June, Edmonton city council voted to support the branch's request for tax relief on more than $48,000 in penalties and interest. Etmanski said the legion has been keeping its 'head afloat' since, but it needs to think ahead. A sale, he added, would allow them to buy a smaller building and put some money in the bank. 'We can't keep up,' he said. 'We're just barely making things meet … it's either that or have somebody win the lotto and pay off our mortgage.' Should members not want to sell, Etmanski said another option would be to lease out part of the building. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Curling star Brooklyn Aleksic paralyzed from neck down as rare disease shatters her athletic future
Curling star Brooklyn Aleksic paralyzed from neck down as rare disease shatters her athletic future (Image Via Getty) A bright young curler and University of Victoria student, Brooklyn Aleksic, suddenly awoke unable to move her body one June morning. In just two hours, she lost use of her neck and limbs. Now facing life 'paralyzed from the neck down,' she and her family have launched a fundraising campaign as they begin an uncertain path toward treatment and recovery. Brooklyn Aleksic's rapid battle with Transverse Myelitis On a summer morning in early June 2025, 20‑year‑old Brooklyn Aleksic woke up ready for her job in Saskatchewan but instead, within hours, she was completely paralyzed from the neck down. Diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare spinal cord inflammation, the condition is typically sudden and severe. Her mother, Shannon Joanisse, told CTV News that 'within two hours of waking up … she was completely paralyzed from her neck down. ' Aleksic is well known in Canada's curling community. A top student at UVic and a featured athlete in the 2024 documentary Curl Power, she had a full summer planned before this crisis. Retired curler Diane Dezura, now organizing the GoFundMe, called Brooklyn's condition 'rapid and severe,' noting she can no longer sit up, move her legs, or care for herself. Brooklyn Aleksic's fundraiser launched as family braces for a long and costly recovery The GoFundMe campaign, organized by Dezura on behalf of Shannon Joanisse, reports that extensive rehabilitation, equipment, and 24/7 care will be required. It warns: 'The damage to her spinal cord is extensive … her path will be long, uncertain and expensive.' Brooklyn is receiving plasma exchange treatments in hopes of reversing the damage, 'at the end of this week, she will have had 14 plasma exchanges.' Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr Deal Worth $700 Million Sets Dangerous New Bar In Sports Salaries Her mother describes Brooklyn as 'a ray of light,' bright, positive, and academically driven . Despite losing her physical abilities, she continues to smile and joke, inspiring many around her. The funds will support medical transfers to Vancouver, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and home modifications. Brooklyn was once a rising star in curling and had plans to work at a golf course this summer. Now, she is fighting a tough medical battle. Her condition highlights how quickly health can change and how essential community support is. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Bryan Braman battles for his life with life-threatening cancer while J.J. Watt's bold move stuns the NFL
Bryan Braman battles for his life with life-threatening cancer while J.J. Watt's bold move stuns the NFL (Image Via X) An emotional thing is happening in the NFL. Bryan Braman, a former player for the Philadelphia Eagles who helped with a Super Bowl win, has a rare and serious cancer to deal with. Luckily, he is not in his fight alone. Many fans, former teammates, and NFL legend J.J. Watt have united with him. They have raised more funds than they expected to help him out. But what happened to Bryan Braman? Why did J.J. Watt step in to help? Let's look at when it all started, what treatment Bryan Braman got, and how much money has been raised so far. Why did J.J. Watt and Bryan Braman's former teammates donate thousands of dollars Bryan Braman is aged 38. He has played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Texans. He was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer recently. He received a treatment called CAR-T cell therapy in Seattle. Now, he is back home with his family. This was shared through a GoFundMe page started to help him. The initial ask for the fundraiser was for $25,000 to offset hospital bills, travel, and food. However, when July 4, 2025 rolled around, the fundraiser had officially raised a little over $39,500. J.J Watt, who was Bryan Braman's teammate on the Houston Texans from 2011-2013, donated $10,000. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Brent Celek and Rasul Douglas, who played with Bryan Braman on the Philadelphia Eagles, gave $1,000 each. Many fans and people from the Philadelphia Eagles also gave what they GoFundMe page says, 'Every dollar helps, and Bryan is grateful for the love.' Also Read: Bryan Braman In Critical Condition As JJ Watt Donates $10K Amid Rare Cancer Battle When did Bryan Braman play in the NFL, and what is his connection to the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl win Bryan Braman got on the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 after a stint with the HoustonTexans. From 2014-2016, Bryan Braman was mostly playing on special teams. He signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2017 but was released. Bryan Braman was back with the Philadelphia Eagles in December 2017 when Carson Wentz had a severe injury and the Philadelphia Eagles went on to beat the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII in February 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He played 24 special teams snaps in that Super Bowl. Bryan Braman's teammates and advocates know that Bryan Braman's work made the Philadelphia Eagle's victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl possible. Now they are playing an active role in supporting the excellence of their teammate during his time of need. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
San Francisco Chronicle
9 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Fireworks explosion: Officials expect several dead as officials sift rubble for human remains
Human remains were found at the site of a major explosion this week at a fireworks factory near Esparto, Yolo County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday. In a press release, the sheriff's office said they had not yet identified the remains and did not specify how many people were confirmed dead, though Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lt. Don Hartman told the Chronicle that he was fairly certain that 'more than one' person had been killed based on the remains recovered so far. Seven people were reported missing shortly after the explosion. By Thursday, officials said at least one person had been killed in Tuesday's blast, which also triggered a 78-acre fire. By late Friday morning, coroners were still trying to locate additional bodies, though their efforts were hampered by the risk of igniting any dormant pyrotechnics that remained. The scene looked like 'devastation,' Hartman said, with rubble and debris everywhere and lingering 'hot spots' of fire. Once all remains are recovered, teams will employ rapid DNA testing on them to identify those killed in the blasts. The incident, which is being called the Oakdale Fire, began around 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday after a commercial fireworks facility ignited. The flames quickly spread to the warehouse containing the pyrotechnics, triggering a massive fireball embedded with popping fireworks and an enormous plume of smoke billowing more than 10,000 feet into the air. Among the missing were brothers and warehouse employees Joel 'Jr' Melendez, 28, Johnny Ramos, 22, and Jesus Maneces Ramos, 18, who'd just begun his first day. A GoFundMe page was set up for Melendez' pregnant wife, Maria, and their 11-month-old son. The warehouse belonged to a company called Devastating Pyrotechnics, according to a joint statement by Marysville, Yuba City, and Sutter and Yuba counties. Archived versions of the company's website describe it as having 30 years of experience producing pyrotechnic displays across California. Arson and bomb investigators from CAL FIRE are leading the investigation into the origin and cause of the explosion.
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Gladstones in Pacific Palisades set to reopen 4th of July
Gladstones restaurant in Pacific Palisades, "where the sun meets the sea" is reopening on July 4, nearly six months after Palisades Fire damage led to its closure. While it's not a complete reopening, an auxiliary kitchen offering a limited menu, and the public deck open Friday at 11 a.m. until sunset. The Jan. 7 Palisades Fire destroyed over 6,000 structures and caused 12 deaths. While Gladstones was spared, it did not go unscathed. An online fundraising effort, organized by the restaurant's assistant general manager, noted that Gladstones was one of the few structures that remained standing after the wildfire. "We were saved due to the heroic efforts of first responders, specifically Engine 238, who prevented total catastrophe," Gladstones GoFundMe page stated. Nearly $30,000 was donated for staff support while it was closed, as at least six employees lost their homes in the wildfire, according to the fundraising site. The restaurant's general manager, Jim Harris, said the closure has been very frustrating. "We've been here just trying to do damage control and rebuild and clean up the mess," he said. Gladstones suffered damage after the Jan. 7 Palisades Fire. KCAL News Renovations still need to be done inside the restaurant and kitchen. Harris said Thursday night, they hosted a community event at the restaurant, and they are eager to serve and entertain once again. "All the local residents, the people in Malibu and Palisades, come down, it's 50% off. First responders, we'd love to see you, it's 50% off to you for the whole month of July," Harris said. Gladstones welcomes guests back after a near six-month closure. KCAL News
