by Deanna Mitchener
June 30, 2025 issue: The Annual Shandy’s Dream for a Cure hosted their 10th annual barbecue and fundraising event on June 21, in Edson’s RCMP Centennial Park.
The event went from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a fundraising barbecue, memorial walk, and special butterfly release.
Barbie Brown Reichenbacher (Shandy’s mom) said, “We had a successful event on Saturday despite the cold and windy weather. Our barbecue was nearly sold out, and we had a great turn out.”
“The butterfly release was a highlight and Shandy’s brother Drake gave a heartfelt speech in memory of his sister,” said Reichenbacher. “So far this year we have raised $6,058.95 and still have our bottle drive on September 20. We are so grateful to everyone who joins us each year to help keep Shandy’s Dream alive, raise awareness, and much needed funds to help find a cure.”
Shandy’s brother Drake said, “Its been 10 years since Shandy’s passing. The pain was so devastating to us when we lost Shandy. We as a family were forced to endure the pain. Most of the time a loss like this can tear a family apart, but this only brought us closer together. Looking back on how well Shandy endured through all of her chemo and cancer treatments, how she was so sick and still managed to always be happy and positive —this in turn helped us endure through our loss. I am forever grateful for everyone’s new and continued support of our fundraiser because my family works so hard for this and this fundraiser means so much to us and to keeping Shandy’s memory alive.”
If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend the event and you would like to help support Shandy’s Dream for a Cure you can go online to https://rb.gy/ybboph anytime to make a donation.
Since starting this fundraiser back in 2016, Shandy’s Dream for a Cure has raised just over $128,000. Now with this year’s support Shandy’s Dream is still alive and has raised well over $133,000.
If you are wondering what to do with your empty bottles, consider donating them towards Shandy’s Dream for a Cure bottle drive that happens in September. All donations are greatly appreciated and will help make a difference. Thank you.