Our valley is blessed with many remarkable people, but few shine as brightly as Luraina Oddy.

As the Sensai of Invermere Fight Club, Luraina has mentored generations of children, youth, and adults. She is not only an international Muay Thai champion but also a patient teacher, a fierce protector, and a guiding light for those who walk through her doors. She teaches more than martial arts—she teaches discipline, self-respect, resilience, and the belief that every person can rise above their struggles.

Her gifts to the Columbia Valley extend even further. Through the Saddle Club and the Horseback Archery Association, Luraina has created spaces of connection, courage, and empowerment. Whether it’s watching a child beam with pride as they learn to ride, or seeing adults find healing and joy through movement and horses, her work has touched lives in ways that ripple far beyond the arena.

Beyond her public role, Luraina is also a dedicated mother and wife, raising her family on their ranch with the same values she instills in her students—resilience, integrity, courage, and compassion. Her daughters are growing up rooted in these life lessons, surrounded by horses, hard work, and the love of a mother who embodies what it means to live with passion and purpose. Her family life is a reflection of her vision: to raise not just strong fighters in the gym, but resilient human beings in the world.

Now, Luraina is walking her own path of courage as she faces her cancer journey. This battle is filled with challenges that many of us cannot begin to imagine. Yet, true to who she is, she continues to embody strength, grace, and determination. But even the strongest among us need a community to lean on.

One of the most urgent needs is the care and feeding of the horses, which are essential to the programs Luraina offers. The cost is staggering—$20,000 each year just to keep them fed. These horses are not only animals; they are healers, teachers, and companions in the journey of countless community members who have found hope, strength, and connection through them.

✨ This is our chance to give back. ✨

Luraina has poured her heart, her skills, and her life into uplifting this valley. She has been there for us, our children, and our families in ways too numerous to count. Now, we have the opportunity to show her that she is not alone.

Every donation matters.

Whether large or small, your gift is a thread in the fabric of support we can weave around Luraina and her family. Together, we can ease the weight of this financial burden so she can focus her energy on healing.

Let us stand together—as Luraina has always stood for us.

Let us remind her that in this valley, no one walks their journey alone.

Please donate, share, and spread the word. Let’s lift up our champion, our teacher, and our friend.