Editor:

Re: Choosing to Smile - fundraising update.

You may recall that there was a head shaving event held at Undine's Hair Studio on Young Road on Dec. 30 which was organized by members of the Chilliwack Valley Women's Network (VWN) group. We just wanted to let your readers know how the fundraising is going to help make Julie Houlker's bucket wish come true: To live long enough to see her book Choosing to Smile become a best seller.

The VWN group has partnered with the New Page Human Services Society (NPHSS) and they have raised more than $5,000 so far and donations are continuing to come in. As a direct result of the head-shaving event, and generous donations made after reading the wonderful news stories about Julie's bucket wish, the New Page Human Services Society just purchased 205 copies of Choosing to Smile to donate to cancer patients currently in treatment at the Abbotsford and Surrey Cancer Centres.

We would like to let your readers know that if individuals or businesses want to make a charitable donation and receive a tax receipt they can mail their cheques payable to the New Page Human Services Society - Box 998, Hope, V0X 1L0. Please designate donations for the 'Choosing to Smile Book Fund'--the New Page Society is a non-profit organization that promotes literacy.

Fundraising and accepting donations to provide copies of Choosing to Smile to give to cancer patients will be an ongoing project. If you would like to let your readers know that they can also make a donation to the Choosing to Smile Book Fund by visiting any branch of the Envision Credit Union and make a deposit to account #1455864. Donations made there won't be issued tax receipts--only donations made through New Page Human Services Society will receive a tax receipt.

Although sales of Choosing to Smile are going extremely well (more than 2,000 copies sold to date) Julie didn't live long enough to scratch it off her bucket list. Julie passed away at Cascade Hospice Centre on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7:20 a.m. surrounded by her family.

However, it made her very happy to see the community rally to support her dream. Julie had been in the Cascade Hospice Centre for nearly two months. She was at peace and filled with grace which helped all of those who loved her come to terms with her illness.

We would like to thank the community for their continued support of this wonderful project which is helping cancer patients currently in treatment to understand the cancer journey a little better and at the same time helping to make a dream come true even if Julie is not here to see it happen.

Joyce Esau,

Member - VWN,

Choosing to Smile Book Fund