Selena Yorke will go down the runway in the finest fashions at the Show of Styles Kids with Smiles fundraiser for B.C. Children’s Hospital at Hilton Vancouver Metrotown on Saturday, May 11.
“She is very excited to participate and give back,” said her mom Cari.
In total, 12 models who have been patients at Children’s will strut their stuff in this annual fundraiser that aims to raise $7,000 for the Vancouver hospital. Two models are from Langley.
Last year Selena, a Langley Meadows Grade 5 student, was diagnosed with a rare disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia, a neuromuscular disorder that affects every cell in her body including her heart. There is no cure.
Already, Selena is losing the ability to walk and uses a wheelchair part time. Friends of the Yorkes put together a fundraiser to help pay for expensive renovations needed for the home, including bathroom renos, a stair lift and a wheelchair van. The costs will exceed $80,000.
The fundraiser helped raise $26,000 and Canadian Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. installed a walk-in shower and tub already.
Two weeks ago, Yorke came third at the Langley School District speech finals, telling her story of what it is like living with this rare disorder.