Dance fundraiser for spinal muscular atrophy to debut in Chilliwack
Published 1:12 pm Friday, May 29, 2026
An inaugural dance fundraiser in Chilliwack will support people living with a rare genetic disease and help fund research into a cure.
Light the Night will raise money to support people and families affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic neuromuscular disease that affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness.
The event will bring in money for Cure SMA Canada and it’s coming to Chilliwack Heritage Park on Friday, June 5.
“SMA has always been a huge part of my life,” said organizer Amy Vander Wyk, whose older sister, Holli, was born with the disease.
“Watching someone you love live with a progressive disease is heartbreaking, especially when all you can do is stand by and support them.”
It impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling, and walking. People with SMA have difficulty performing the basic functions of life, like breathing and swallowing, but it does not affect a their ability to learn or think.
It affects an estimated 700 to 2,000 Canadians.
“Since I was a baby, I never knew anything different — Holli being in a wheelchair was completely normal to me. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized not everyone has a sibling living with a disease that requires them to use a wheelchair.”
She said life looked “a little different” for their Chilliwack family as they had to make adjustments on family outings.
“I remember one year on our annual camping trip to one of the Gulf Islands we were visiting a new location, and when we reached the end of a trail, there was a long staircase leading up to a viewpoint,” she recalled. “My dad and brother were determined that Holli was going to see that view. Everyone grabbed a corner of her wheelchair and carried both Holli and her chair all the way up the stairs. Surprisingly, getting back down was much harder, but nothing was going to stop us from making sure Holli was included.
“Every year after that, we did the same thing. We never missed bringing Holli up those stairs. Memories like this are something I hold close to my heart because, to my family, it was never a big deal — it was simply our normal.”
For decades, the Vander Wyk family has played a major role in raising money to support research.
Proceeds from Light the Night will go toward family support, SMA kids camp, and research for the disease. Although there have been advances in treatment, there is still no cure for SMA, especially for adults living with the disease.
Holli, 29, said she’s “incredibly grateful” for everything her sister Amy does and calls her one of her biggest supporters. Amy constantly dedicates her time and energy to educate others on SMA.
“Living with my disease comes with many challenges, but through it all, she has been by my side with unwavering love, encouragement, and strength.”
The Light the Night fundraiser means so much to Holli.
“Not only is she helping raise awareness and support for a cause that is deeply personal to our family, but she is also showing the incredible compassion and dedication that she brings to everything she does,” Holli said.
“This fundraiser is a reflection of the kind, selfless person she is, and I couldn’t be more proud to call her my sister.”
Light the Night, in support of Cure SMA Canada, is on Friday, June 5 at Chilliwack Heritage Park starting at 7 p.m. The night includes dinner, a silent auction, games and prizes.
Tickets are $60 and available at canadahelps.org/en/charities/cure-sma-canada/events/light-the-night-dinner-and-dance-for-a-cure.