B.C. couple dealt devastating blow while husband waits for life-saving surgery in Toronto

Kory Bradshaw has Cystic Fibrosis and is waiting for a double lung transplant in Toronto, but while he and his wife Renee were in the city their home in Kelowna was destroyed by a fire.

“The average wait time in B.C. is about two years and here in Toronto the average wait time is about six months and unfortunately I don’t have two years to wait,” Kory said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The average wait time in B.C. is about two years and here in Toronto the average wait time is about six months and unfortunately I don't have two years to wait," Kory said.

“We’ve had two false alarms if you will … hopefully the third time’s a charm,” Kory said about almost getting that life-saving call.

Kory and Renee have been in Toronto since January. The couple said the call could take longer to come in B.C. His health deteriorated quickly and he was admitted into the intensive care unit at St. Michael’s Hospital six weeks ago. He’s doing better, but is too weak to leave the hospital. Still, the Bradshaws are optimistic.

“We don’t really think of our situation as being that negative,” Renee said. “We have a good life together, so we like to focus on that.”

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Two days ago, they were got word their home in Kelowna was destroyed by a fire believed to have started by a discarded cigarette.

“Renee goes, ‘That’s our house, that’s our house.’ I was trying to look for the good in it, maybe it’s not… no that’s our truck…I started to see it… Oh boy,” Kory said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Renee goes, 'That's our house, that's our house.' I was trying to look for the good in it, maybe it's not… no that's our truck…I started to see it… Oh boy," Kory said.

“They believe it was from a discarded cigarette that caught our cedar hedge on fire, which spread in the shed into our house,” Renee said.

Neighbours in Kelowna quickly rallied to help the couple. Beth Shey, a neighbour they hardly know, started a GoFundMe page to help the couple with living expenses. The goal is to raise $25,000.

“We’re always positive and, you know, we’ve had a lot to go through in life but we always keep a good sense of humour and there’s no sense of getting too upset and angry,” Renee said.

“Things are going quite well for Kory and being here in Toronto to get the transplant. Things can be replaced.”

The husband and wife have rented an apartment for $2,800 a month while they also pay their mortgage in B.C. The couple said insurance will cover most of what was lost in the fire.

READ MORE: Okanagan man’s home destroyed by fire while he awaits major surgery in Toronto

They said they are moved by the outpouring of support and hope to pay it forward some day soon.

“We want to do the same for others as well,” Kory said.

“It makes me want to work harder to do the best I can for them, if you will and come through… It’s amazing what that can do for you.”