In a heartwarming display of community support in response to a tragic attack, a GoFundMe campaign initiated over the weekend has surpassed all expectations.
In just a few days, over $15,000 was raised for Colin Dube-Wheat, a young man who was violently stabbed in downtown Campbell River on July 14.
The 21-year-old father heard cries for help while walking downtown at 4:30 AM and rushed to assist.
“He heard someone yelling help,” the statement on the GoFundMe reads. “An individual beside an unconscious person stabbed Colin in the chest twice, puncturing his lung and heart.”
Lying there alone, Colin was left until first responders arrived to airlift him to Victoria General Hospital.
The VGH Trauma Team sprang into action on his arrival, performing open heart surgery to repair the damage to his lung and heart.
Miraculously, Colin lived through the incident, and according to GoFundMe, “he is now in the early days of what will be a long recovery period.”
Jen Fyfe and Lisa McEwen organized the GoFundMe campaign. They highlighted Colin’s incredible strength and resilience. He and his fiancée had both been working full-time, trading off to care for their two-year-old daughter.
“They have faced unbelievable tragedy in the last year, having endured the death of his younger brother, Jordie Dube, and recently losing many personal items and their dog Mocha in his Father’s house fire in Gold River.. “
The funds raised will be crucial in supporting Colin’s rehabilitation, which will last approximately three months.
The support from the local community has been overwhelming, with the initial goal of $5,000 being quickly surpassed. As of Monday morning, the total amount raised is an astounding $15,285.
Campbell River RCMP Major Crimes Unit is investigating but has yet to release any news or respond to an inquiry on the incident. Anyone with any information is asked to reach out at 250-286-6221 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
You can find the GoFundMe for Colin here.
