Naramata 'Pickle Princess' needs help with long road to recovery from rare disease

Photo: Naramata Slow

A young Naramata entrepreneur well-known locally as the "Princess of Pickles" is facing a long road to recovery after complications from her rare autoimmune disease, and her community is stepping in to help.

Dixie-May Duncan Kunicky is the chef, proprietor and owner behind Dixies Quickles and Dixie May's Market, a staple at the Naramata Farmers Market for two seasons running and other markets year-round selling her creative and delicious pickled products.

Kunicky has been missing from the market for several weeks, recovering from a severe chest infection and other complications related to her disease.

Her parents began a GoFundMe campaign to help support Kunicky as she recovers, a long process that will include learning to walk again, and extensive medical treatments.

"Along with blood transfusions as well as chemotherapy for chronic kidney disease, in addition she will require once monthly secondary immune suppressant to treat the other side of her autoimmune once a month. She will need to acquire a CPAP machine to assist her breathing at night," her father Roy explains in the GoFundMe.

"Dixie is a fighter and is reaching out for your assistance. Your assistance will help her get home and adjust to a new way of life."

Love and support has already begun pouring in, raising nearly $3,000 in just over a week. The campaign has a goal of $10,000 to give Kunicky plenty of help with rent, food and monthly bills as she gets back on her feet.

Find the GoFundMe here.