PORT ALICE—The local community rallied to raise more than $3,000 in a fundraiser earlier this month to help cover the cost of medical treatments for a local child.
Finn Regush, son of local RCMP officer, Darren Regush, was diagnosed with a Port Wine Stain birthmark by a dermatologist shortly after he was born.
To date, he has received a combined total of 8 laser treatments at BC Children's Hospital and a hospital in California. The treatments help to lighten his birthmark and prevent it from growing and darkening. If left untreated, PWS birthmarks can become dark purple, grow papules, bleed and become infected.
Finn is also at risk of developing glaucoma, as the birthmark touches his eyelids.
He is currently being treated in Los Angeles every 4-6 weeks and is responding extremely well. The costs, however, are not covered by any medical insurance, and it is not known how many treatments will be required.
The BBQ was held in front of FP Foods.