BUNBURY resident Kristy Borczuch is fundraising money for a healthcare organisation that supported her sister through breast cancer.
Since 2018, Ms Borczuch has sold handmade cards and donated 100 per cent of the proceeds to Solaris Cancer Care, a community-based organisation that provides supportive services to patients, their families and carers who are affected by cancer.
This year, Ms Borczuch hopes to raise $12,000 for the organisation and is now calling on the support of the Bunbury community to ensure that Solaris, who rely solely on the community to sustain it's future operations, remains open.
Ms Borczuch relocated to Bunbury in 2012 when her sister, Nat, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She said both her and her sister did not know much about Solaris, but begun spending time there when Nat begun chemotherapy and radiation.
Solaris has been a beacon of light in what many of us, families with members with cancer, would call 'dark times'.
- Kristy Borczuch
"Solaris became a place that Nat wanted to visit every few weeks to seek a sense of connection and belonging. She always emerged feeling stronger and at peace," Ms Borczuch said.
Solaris has six centres across Western Australia, with three in regional Australia (including Bunbury) offering free services from diagnosis to survivorship and palliative care.
After Ms Borczuch's sister moved into cancer survivorship in 2017, their family began donating a collection of coins every few months to the Solaris Cancer Care.
Not long after, Ms Borczuch began selling handmade cards and donating all the proceeds to Solaris.
"2018 was when I 'stepped it up' and I started getting orders for cards from friends. I think it was then that I started wondering just how much I could possibly raise," Ms Borczuch said.
"I started my Facebook page 'Kristy's Fundraising from the Heart' and quickly amassed over 500 card buyers whom I now call my friends."
Since 2018, Ms Borczuch has raised over $20,000 for the organisation and is hoping to raise $12,000 for Solaris for 2021, her highest donation to date.
Solaris Cancer Care Chief Executive Officer Francis Lynch said the proceeds donated by Ms Borczuch and her family has allowed Solaris to continue to offer their services, especially in the remote areas of Western Australia.
"We are truly grateful to Kristy and her family for their support for Solaris over the years. We can continue to be there and offer a shoulder to lean on for the many families grappling with cancer," Ms Lynch said.
Kristy Borczuch has expanded beyond cardmaking and now also creates glass cabochon necklaces and earrings, potted succulents and macramé fairies.
To support Ms Borczuch in the fundraiser and to view more of her work, visit https://www.facebook.com/Kristys-Fundraising-From-The-Heart-665335393665093.
"Solaris has been a beacon of light in what many of us, families with members with cancer, would call 'dark times' and their regional services provide an anchor of support."
