Killarney Guide

BY KIM LANGEN

Friends are pulling together a fun social this weekend, in order to help support a local family facing extreme emergency medical costs.

“One of our local families, Allan and Pam Mitchell, are going through a difficult medical situation, and we want to offer our community support,” said Kaitlyn Nichol, a close friend of the family. 

Allan Mitchell, who has owned and operated Mitchel N’ Motion plumbing in Killarney for 26 years, recently became very ill in the United States, and is now facing unexpected costs for his care.

“Allan had travelled down to South Dakota with some friends for a weekend quad trip on September 15,” said Nichol. “Unfortunately, while he was down there, he suffered a serious medical emergency. Allan had a sudden onset of a brain bleed, which required emergency neurosurgery, and he was hospitalized down there in intensive care. It was also discovered, in an MRI scan, that he suffered a severe stroke through this as well. Unfortunately, their insurance company has notified them that they have denied his insurance claim, so none of his medical care, while in the U.S., will be covered.”

Nichol said they are hoping to raise anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 for the family, during the Mitchell Family Benefit Social on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at the Shamrock Centre.

The event starts at 7 p.m., and runs until 1 a.m., with a live auction that includes a massive amount of great donations and begins at
10 p.m.

“One hundred per cent of proceeds from this event will be given to Allan and his family to cover medical expenses,” said Nichol. “We have loads of auction donations now, but if people would like to donate cash, that would be great. We are really looking forward to the social. Look Music is coming from Brandon to DJ for the event, and Allan Munroe and Kyle Howarth will be running the auction.”

Tickets are $25 each, and a late lunch will also be provided, she added. “Ticket sales are going really good, and we think we might even sell out,” said Nichol. “We have already collected $30,000 to $40,000 in ticket sales and donations.”

After two weeks in the U.S., Allan Mitchell was transferred by air ambulance back to Brandon, leaving him with the transfer costs to cover as well, she said. He is currently still in hospital, and is waiting for a neurology rehabilitation referral in Winnipeg.

“There is a long road of recovery ahead for Allan and his family, and we would like to support them with their outstanding and upcoming medical costs,” said Nichol. “Any amount will be of great help to this wonderful man and his family. In times of need, it is important to come together, and help one another.”

See more about the Mitchell Family Benefit Social, and view the donations as of press time, below.

MOUNTAIN OF PRIZES – Cody MacAulay and Matt Nichol stand behind a mountain of auction items for Allan Mitchell’s benefit social this Sunday, which just keeps on growing. Organizers have been overwhelmed with the donations for the Mitchell family. View a list of the donations, as of press time, below.

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE