My name is Carol Ritchey. I would like to tell you a goodwill story about Dr. Schweiger (New Life Mission), Dr. Hallett, North Kamloops Lions.

I am a 62-year-old widow, I only work 80 hours a month; 2/3 of my wage goes for rent. I have been married twice; the first marriage was very abusive and the second one took his own life.

I have had cancer twice: bowel and breast. With the breast I had four treatments of chemotherapy and the end result was that all my teeth rotted from the inside out. So I was afraid to eat anything that might break my teeth off. Also, my stomach and bowels have to work harder because I can’t chew well.

I did approach the New Life Mission and see Dr. Schweiger for a consultation. He told me my dentures would cost $1,538.

Since my teeth were deeply impacted he could not do it at the mission so he referred me to Dr. Hallett.

I told Dr. Hallett my story and he said, don’t worry, he would take care of me. He told me that there is a two-year waiting list to get into the hospital for extractions and they have certain criteria, so he gave me a form to give to my doctor to fill out for the Kamloops Surgical Centre. To my fortune there was a cancellation. I got in about two weeks later and had my teeth removed.

I still had to come up with the money for my dentures. I first approached my work to get a lump sum, then pay it back monthly by payroll deductions but it could not be done at this time.

So the Lord guided me to the North Kamloops Lions. I wrote to them telling them my story. They said they could only give me $1,000, so I still needed $538. So I phoned Dr. Schweiger at the New Life Mission to tell him I was getting my teeth out but that I was put on hold to get the dates for my dentures.

The secretary gave me the dates, then she told me Christmas was coming early for me. I said “What,” she said I was on the mission’s “Angel’s Wish List.” The New Life Mission put in the $538 still owing.

I cried for a long time. On Jan. 25, my dentures were in my mouth.

I want to thank Dr. Schweiger of the New Life Mission, Dr. Hallett, the Kamloops Surgical Centre and the North Kamloops Lions.

They are my angels and God Bless them call.

If you would put this story in the Daily News, God Bless you too.

CAROL RITCHEY

Kamloops