Businesses work together to repair cancer patient’s vehicle

A promise to keep a friend’s vehicle running while she battled cancer led a group of Saskatoon businesses to help out with thousands of dollars in donated goods and services.

Brad Chittick, who runs Wayne’s Driveline, shared the story about his friend of more than 30 years Darla Chornoby on Facebook Tuesday.

“We told Darla we would look after her vehicle maintenance until she was done her treatments and was able to go back to work,” he wrote.

Chornoby dropped her vehicle off for an oil change Jan. 4. Chiddick said they soon discovered the vehicle needed significant repairs once a mechanic looked it over.

“He said this vehicle needs a lot of work,” Chittick said. “It ended up that it needed well over $6,000 in repairs done.”

The vehicle needed new struts, shocks and brakes along with fluid flushes.

When it became clear how much work had to be done, Chittick started to reach out to other businesses he’d worked with over the years for help.

In the end, NAPA Saskatoon, Wynns, Cin Dee at A&C Detail and Roger Grona at Firebird Business all pitched in to get the vehicle into like-new condition.

“Darla is all fixed up and didn’t cost any more than the generosity of a lot of people with hearts,” Chittick said on Facebook. “Never hurts to give back people.”

Chornoby picked up her truck on Tuesday.

Chornoby told Saskatchewan Afternoon she was floored when she learned what the group had done for her.

“I am absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness and genorosity,” she wrote in a message sent to Saskatchewan Afternoon.

“It is amazing people like this get me through my treatment with a positive attitude and the strength to kick this awful disease’s ass.”