I just received this email for a fund-raiser to help raise money to pay medical bills for a Canadian now living in the US. Had he still been living in Canada when his illness occurred all of his expenses would have been paid for. You know, I read this kind of stuff and I just don't understand why Americans are so opposed to equal healthcare for all.

Fundraiser for Jim Moss

Many Brampton sports fans have fond memories of Jim Moss, a member of the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and a former hockey and lacrosse star here.

In 2002 he was a key player as the Brampton Excelsiors won the Mann Cup, the Canadian major lacrosse championship. He also played minor hockey while growing up in Brampton and was a member of the Brampton Capitals, Tier 2 Junior Hockey team.

Now living in California, Moss's life took a stunning turn last September when he became ill with the H1N1 virus and contracted Guillan Barre Syndrome. That disease attacks the bodys peripheral nervous system and left him paralyzed and without sensation in both feet and hands.

He was hospitalized and needed to re-learn to stand, walk and handle basic daily functions before he was able to return home. Since November he has been convalescing at home and undergoing physical and occupational therapy.

Moss, who is the West Coast Sales Manager with STX Lacrosse, has had a portion of his medical expenses covered by his employment health insurance but because he was living in the U.S. he has been left with medical expenses of between $75,000 and $100,000 (US).

He and his wife Jennifer, a native of Cambridge, have two young children, son Wyatt born in July 2007 and daughter Olivia born last November. Moss has been forced to take a reduced income while on long-term disability.

A long-time player in the National Lacrosse League with the San Jose Stealth and the Colorado Mammouth, Moss has also lost his professional lacrosse income.

The good news is that it is expected that with his on-going therapy he will have between 90 per cent and 100 per cent recovery within one to two years. Moss, who missed the 2009 season with a shoulder injury, is hopeful to come back and play lacrosse again.

But the family still has the medical expenses.

His uncle, Brampton Regional Councillor John Sanderson, is helping to organize a fund-raiser, a curling bonspiel for the Moss family on Saturday, March 27 at the Brampton Curling Club.

I have not posted the rest of the email that goes on to describe a silent auction and other details of the event. If, by any chance, anyone is interested in attending this bonspiel, send me a PM and I'll forward the full email to you.