Two benefit concerts will be held later this year to help a Strathmore family.
Maggie Kosterawa was diagnosed with necrotizing pancreatitis in 2021. Since then, she has spent plenty of time in the hospital as she awaits a multi-visceral transplant.
A GoFundMe was started in November to help Kosterawa cover the costs of the transplant, raising over $16,000 through 101 donations. Kosterawa's mother Jennifer Therriault spoke about how her daughter has been holding up these last few months.
"She's been quite sick here. We just spent seven weeks in hospital. She's at home recovering now, and she had to be put on a feeding tube," said Therriault. "Some things have regressed, and we're looking to make those stronger."
Kosterawa was supposed to meet with a transplant team in February but was postponed to late May as she was in hospital.
"They won't do a multi-visceral transplant on somebody whose odds aren't that great," Therriault said, adding that Maggie is the 21st Canadian to require a transplant of this kind.
To help cover the funds of her operation, the Celebration Choir and Rosa Cantorum are putting on benefit concerts later this year.
The Celebration Choir concert is directed by Joanne Dyck and takes place at several locations, including:
- Knox Presbyterian Church in Bassano on April 11.
- Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooks on April 13.
- Rosemary Mennonite Church in Rosemary on April 14.
All three concerts begin at 7 p.m.
There will also be a Strathmore concert at the United Church on May 4. The show is directed by Bill Hamm of the Rosebud Theatre.
"It's greatly appreciated how these benefit our family," added Therriault.
The concerts are free to attend, with a portion of donations going towards Kosterawa's operation.