SYDNEY, N.S. — Nadine Navarole is looking forward to rappelling down a 15-storey building in support of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
A member of the Capers and Friends team registered in the foundation's Rope for Hope event in Halifax on Oct. 3, Navarole knows how much Make-a-Wish benefits more than just the recipients.
A wish mom herself, her 12-year-old son Deven's dream of celebrating his birthday at Disney World and having his party at Chuck E. Cheese restaurant came true thanks to Make-a-Wish.
"Having a child go through an illness is a family team effort. We had to depend on not only family and friends, (but also) our older children to help in many ways," Navarole said.
Deven was diagnosed in 2010 with the neurological condition NF1 — neurofibromatosis.
"Sometimes our older children were required to babysit Deven's twin when she couldn't accompany us to IWK appointments. Or when my husband and I had to take shifts when Deven was admitted to the hospital, we had to rely on them to take care of the home which sometimes required them missing out on time with their own friends and after-school activities."
Navarole said being able to enjoy Deven's wish together allowed the family much-needed quality time.
"Deven's wish gave the whole family something to look forward to," Navarole said. "A goal to be together and watch him and his twin sister celebrate their birthday where dreams come true. It was an experience that could never be put into words."
Since Deven's wish was granted, Navarole has been helping raise money for Make-a-Wish, which was known as Children's Wish in Cape Breton until May. In the past, Navarole has participated in the Walk for Wishes and other events but due to the COVID-19 pandemic some events were cancelled.
Wanting to continue raising money to help grant a wish for a child with a life-threatening medical condition, Navarole discovered the Capers and Friends team and Rope for Hope.
"It just seems like something fun to do and it's for an awesome cause. It didn't take much convincing to (join the team)," she said, admitting she's both nervous and excited for the Oct. 3 event.
"I've never rappelled down a building before. But they have some lessons before, to teach us how to do it, so we should be fine."
Navarole and her team are thankful for all the community support they've received and for the fundraising help from Bayside Drive-In in Reserve Mines, which created a special unicorn sundae and donated a dollar from the sale of each one.
The estimated cost to grant a wish for a child is $10,000 and Navarole believes Capers for Friends has already exceeded that amount. However, the fundraising drive will continue until the event because the more money raised, the more wishes granted.
To find out more or make a donation go to makeawish.ca/campaign/rope.