WAPELLA — There’s going to be a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Wapella Rink this weekend, supporting a former firefighter with the Wapella and District Fire Department.
Abigail Korth was a firefighter while living in Wapella, and was diagnosed on July 4 with Stage 4 Ewing Sarcoma, an aggressive and rare form of cancer.
“She was keen, engaged and energetic,” recalls Wapella Fire Chief Jim McGinty. “She would turn up as much as she could.”
McGinty explained that Korth’s condition has become worse over Christmas as tumours on her spine have led to the collapse of one vertebra, confining Korth to a wheelchair.
“She’s now basically paraplegic,” McGinty said. “With her being an ex-member of the department we thought it would be a nice thing to try and raise awareness for her, she needs as much help as she can get right now.”
Korth and her fiancé Seth Kennedy live in Winnipeg, Man. and a GoFundMe has been established to help cover medical costs, mobility equipment, and day-to-day essentials.
“Her partner has had to take time off work indefinitely to look after her because she needs 24-hour care now,” McGinty said.
Currently, the online fundraiser titled Help Abigail Beat Bone Cancer has surpassed its original goal, amassing $11,401 in donations.
McGinty also remembers Korth’s assistance around the hall, drawing on her welding skills that helped immensely behind the scenes.
“It’s a different kind of group that’s not like a hockey team or a curling team because you have to put your life in your colleagues’ hands,” he described the bond shared between firefighters. “She stepped up to serve our community and put her life and well-being on the line. It’s nice if the community can support her back.”
From 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, the Wapella and District Fire Department will be hosting the pancake breakfast at a cost of $10 per plate, with proceeds going to Korth as she continues her fight.
