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Jubilee Church supporting local family after failed surgery

By Ryan Forbes Nov 16, 2022 | 5:01 AM


Jacques, Leanne and Arwen Nolet. Photo courtesy of Arwen MacDonnell / Facebook.

A local family is asking for the community’s support as they continue to navigate provincial health systems and hospital visits to Winnipeg, after a failed surgery.

In February 2021, Q104, KenoraOnline and DrydenNow helped Jubilee Church and the community raise $11,000 for the Nolet family’s five-month-old daughter Leanne, who was born with a number of health conditions, including holes in her heart.

Thankfully, Jubilee’s Pastor Frank Kowal says Leanne has been doing well ever since.

But now, Kowal explains that her mother, Arwen, had been dealing with a hernia during her daughter’s recovery and the family decided to wait until she was older and stronger for Arwen to receive the necessary procedure.

Unfortunately, Kowal says the surgery, which took place over the summer, did not go as expected.

“Her bowels were not functioning too well. Then, all of a sudden, the operation they did broke inside and there was toxic material inside of her. She’s really going through a hardship,” he said.

Kowal explains that Arwen is in an Intensive Care Unit in a Winnipeg hospital, where she’s expected to stay until mid-January, at least. Her husband, Jacques, has been making multiple trips to Winnipeg each week to visit her with their four children, while on a limited income.

Jubilee Church has started accepting donations for the family, to help cover medical and travel costs.

If you would like to send your support, you can send a cheque to Jubilee Church, 215 First Street South, Kenora, ON, P9N 1C2 or by etransfer to [email protected]. Residents are reminded to attach their name and mailing address if they’d like to receive a charitable tax receipt.