Skip to content

Fundraiser helps Kimberley resident hit by double whammy

Raymond Jenks lost everything he owns in the High River flood then had a liver transplant. Friends and family host a fundraiser to help him

A fundraiser will be held in Kimberley next month for a former resident who was a victim of the High River floods, and has since had a liver transplant.

Raymond Jenks, 48, was born and raised in Kimberley and moved to High River, Alberta, a few years ago, explains his mom, Myra.

But when the devastating June floods hit High River hard, Raymond lost all of his belongings.

"He was on the second floor and they had to come and take him out with a loader. They loaded people out from their decks and put them in a dump truck and took them to higher ground," said Myra.

Ray and his girlfriend were living in temporary housing in High River until October 3, when a phone call in the middle of the night told Ray that the liver he had been waiting for was available.

Ray had been suffering from liver disease for several years and was unable to work for two or three years prior to the operation.

Since the operation on October 3, Ray has been in the Intensive Care Unit in Edmonton.

"He ran into some difficulties. He's going to make it but it's been a long road," said Myra.

Once Ray is out of hospital, he will need to stay close by for at least three months in Edmonton.

"They will have to stay for three months, maybe more, depending on how he recuperates. They have to monitor him and there is a lot of adjusting with medication," said Myra.

"That's why we are doing the fundraiser for him. He doesn't have an income, and they are going to have to pay for that."

Together with family and friends in Kimberley, Myra is organizing a fundraising event at the Kimberley Elks Hall on Saturday, November 9 starting at 7 p.m.

There will be a silent auction, a 50/50 draw, and live music by Sketch and Friends.

Any funds raised will help Ray during his recovery.