SIDNEY — James Hortobagyi is a happy, helpful 15-year-old who attends Parkland Secondary School.
He loves playing street hockey and is an important part of Sidney’s Youth Bowling League which plays weekly at Miracle Lanes on Bevan Avenue.
But Hortobagyi was born with a heart defect which required him to undergo two open heart surgeries in the first few months of his life.
He ultimately received a donor valve and artery for his heart as a child.
With regular trips to B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Hortobagyi has been monitored by his doctors to determine when he will have outgrown the donor valve he originally received.
At 15 years old, that time has now come for Hortobagyi.
To that end, a St. Patrick’s Day dance is taking place this month to raise money to help offset some of the expenses involved with the teen’s family having to travel back and forth to Vancouver.
The surgery will be very invasive and Hortobagyi will need a great amount of time to recuperate with the support of his family.
The dance will take place Saturday, March 15 at 676 Kitty Hawk Air Cadet Squadron Hall (1979 DeHavilland Way in Sidney) at 7 p.m.
The event will include dancing, 50/50 draws and food as well as music provided by The Islanders, a favourite local band.
There will also be a cash bar.
A raffle during the event will include prizes like a weekend stay on Pender Island, a night package from the Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa and chiropractic services from Dr. Sean Laidley.
Contact Angelee at angeleeandjay@shaw.ca or Phil and Sue at pturpin@shaw.ca to pay ahead of time and be placed on a guaranteed entry list (minimum $20 donation per person).
Those interested can also pay at the door if they have not done so in advance. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the family.
— Submitted