Family emergency - need to go home

Hello, my name is Cassie Genest. I am the niece of George Raiche. George is my Uncle who has stepped up to the plate and helped raise my brother and I while our mom was a single parent after his divorce and 2 children moved to America. He has been a substitute father my entire life and a Papa to my two children.

George lives alone in Slave Lake AB and I live with my 2 children in PEI. Our communication has been few and far between lately which has had me worried and last night I received the text that he is in hospital with double kidney failure due to high blood pressure.

George is a very kind and extremely hard working man. He has a lot of pride in making sure that he cares for others and never takes anything in return. In 2017 George matched as a donor for our Mother who has also going through double kidney failure which was also shutting down other major organs. Unfortunately my mother passed away a few short months before their procedure could take place and has since then left a ripple effect of passings in our family. Once Covid hit we lost our grandparents as well and it seems like our family has barely been able to pick themselves up from illnesses and passings this last 5-7 years. George has been head of helping the entire family and right now needs his family to help him.

Currently, I am in a vulnerable state as all my finances are tied up with the purchase of our homestead, which in October, George flew all the way to PEI to help us move in and settle with the 2 babies. To say that he is the most selfless man I know is an understatement. He is our hero.

I am asking for help to fly back to Alberta so I can be there for him and care for him. This is not a person who deserves to be going through such critical illness alone. I am seeking funds for flights for myself and 2 littles. Which will also include car rental to get from Edmonton to Slave Lake Alberta. I rely on child tax as my only source of income which doesn’t get paid out until the 20th of each month ($1,035) and doesn’t come close to covering flight costs. I’ve never used a platform like this for myself despite donating to other causes… but George means more to us than my pride and I am asking for help from my community. I can’t imagine not being there for someone who has literally saved my life so many times. Any help, donation or share is very very appreciated during this difficult time.

Thank you,

Cassie, Theodin, Seven.