A Ladysmith business that focuses on health and wellness is raising money to help one of its clients with her health issues.
This Friday (Sept. 21), Body Resource Studio is hosting a grand opening celebrating its brand-new studio in downtown Ladysmith, and it will be holding a silent auction benefit for Ladysmith businesswoman Jenna Forster at the same time.
There will be wine and cheese, music and a meet and greet at the studio at 14-740 First Ave. from 6-8 p.m.
Forster, an executive coach in Ladysmith, has Lyme disease, and the silent auction will raise funds to help her with medical costs that are not covered by the provincial medical service.
“We’re hoping to raise $10,000,” said studio owner Jo-Ann Robson. “We’re doing this to help Jenna raise the funds required so she can have the quality of life she deserves.”
Forster has been doing pilates at Body Resource Studio for more than a year, and Robson is eager to help her.
“She’s a young mother with two small boys to raise on her own,” she said. “She had to step down from the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association so her priorities would be her health and her family.”
Forster had been going to doctors and specialists for a number of years reporting many symptoms common to this disease but had difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis, according to the press release.
“By chance, her naturopathic doctor suggested a simple blood test for Lyme disease, and shockingly, the results came back positive,” it stated. “Also, the results indicated that Forster has had this disease for a very long time, and unfortunately, the disease is now in a chronic stage for her.”
The medications to treat Lyme disease may cost up to $50,000 per year for several years, according to Robson.
Robson hopes Friday’s silent auction will also raise awareness about Lyme disease.
Lyme disease works slowly to shut down the human body through its impact on the central nervous system, and it is transmitted by the very tiny tick insect that burrows under the skin and carries the disease to humans, according to a press release from Body Resource Studio.
“Bringing awareness of this disease is important because in B.C., we’re all about hiking and outdoors,” said Robson.
Lyme disease is widespread in the U.S., and to date, there have been more than 60 confirmed cases in British Columbia, according to Robson.
Body Resource Studio, which used to be above Worldly Gourmet on First Avenue, moved into this new building in July. The studio offers full pilates and yoga training.
“We’re in the business of health and living life well, and this was a good way to promote it, bring awareness and help Jenna at the same time as we celebrate the grand opening of our new studio in a new building,” said Robson.
Robson is still looking for companies to donate products or services to the silent auction, and she is particularly hoping companies or individuals can donate health-related items and items for men. If people don’t have products to donate, Robson says they can also donate cash and cheques, which will go directly to Forster for her medical treatment.
To donate items for the silent auction, contact Robson at 250-667-1389 or pilates@brstudio.ca.