Help Piotr Recover From Open-Heart Surgery

Please give today so our dad Piotr has the time he needs to recover from open heart surgery.

On Wednesday Oct 11th, our Dad, Piotr (AKA Peter) Kwiatkowski was closing up at our family-run cafe in Vancouver. He was stacking up chairs and joking as usual, when he felt a numbness in his left arm and pain in his chest. Not long after, he was taken to the hospital where he received medical attention and a diagnosis: he will be in need of a triple bypass operation.

He is currently at Vancouver General Hospital, waiting patiently for open heart surgery.

We have had friends and regulars at our cafe ask how they can help and so we have set up this fundraiser to help with the recovery.

Our Dad is the owner of a franchise cafe at Arbutus and 10th. We acquired the business 2 months before Covid-19 hit, and have been playing catch up ever since. On top of the usual asterisks of acquiring a legacy business (all equipment needing replacement, rising rent costs, etc) there has been disruption to customer traffic due to the new skytrain line construction a block away and of course our friend inflation. It really feels as though we just can’t catch a break.

Our dad has been working tirelessly as Barista/Deliveryman/ Manager and everything-in-between in an attempt to cut down on costs and keep the business afloat.

Piotr is an extremely hardworking guy, but in order to heal/ recover post-op, what he needs most is rest and to avoid stress.

Piotr is unable to work for a minimum of three months post-surgery; therefore, while he focuses on his recovery, we’ll have to hire extra staff to cover his many roles at the cafe. This coupled with his need for care at home during the recovery, means there will be a big slew of expenses during our slowest business months.

Any donations received will be used to cover these extra costs so that he has the breathing room to focus on his healing and recovery. Being the hard worker he is, it is critical Piotr doesn't rush into working before he is back to full health.

If this fundraiser has been forwarded to you, it is likely that you know one of us three kids -- Ki, Paloma or Anabella Kwiatkowski! We’ve been helping our parents run the cafe for almost 4 years now, and we care a lot about our Dad.

Piotr moved to Canada with our mom 32 years ago and has always worked multiple jobs to support his family. If you know our Dad, you’ll be familiar with his kind-hearted soul and jovial attitude. His unceasing optimism has always inspired everyone around him, and helped our family and the community get through tough times.

Piotr's surgery is likely to happen around Thursday Oct 19th. It would be wonderful for him to know there is enough in this fund for him to focus solely on his healing for a period of time after that.

Every donation, kind words and prayer for a smooth surgery and recovery will wrap our dad in the knowledge that he is loved and supported.

Please give generously if you can and please don’t hesitate reaching out with notes of love and well wishes.

With so much thanks on Piotr's behalf!

- Ki, Paloma & Bella