Debbie Welch is a familiar face for many Yukoners.

Before she opened the Jarvis Street Saloon, she greeted guests coming into the Town and Mountain Hotel, the 202 Motor Inn and at one time the Gateway Hotel in Watson Lake.

Known for her own generous nature and "always helping others,” Welch's sister, Sheri Lynne Lintick, says her sibling has been overwhelmed by the level of support she's getting as she remains in Vancouver on dialysis treatment for her failing kidneys.

Lintick is getting set to donate one of her kidneys to her sister later this month.

Meanwhile, the community is rallying support with a two-night event set for later this month to raise money for Welch. That will complement the bank account that's already been set up for the long-time Yukoner.

Welch was medevaced to Vancouver in early March. She was able to return to Whitehorse for about a week to get things arranged for a lengthy time away.

As Lintick said in an interview Tuesday, it was about 10 years ago that Welch learned her kidneys were failing.

While she was able to manage, in recent months her kidney function has gotten worse.

Lintick had offered her a kidney years ago, having been approved as a donor three times.

"There was never really a decision,” Lintick said of offering her organ to her sister, noting it was something she knew she'd do when the time came.

She explained that with kidney donations, there's a "shelf-life,” so if a patient is still functioning well despite a failing kidney, a transplant will be held off.

Then, a few months back, Welch was told she would need a transplant soon and the procedure was booked.

While it had been hoped Welch wouldn't get to the point of needing dialysis prior to the procedure, on March 3, she became very sick and needed to be medevaced to Vancouver.

Even before arriving in Vancouver, the medevac flight had to stop in Prince George so Welch could be stabilized and treated before making the rest of the journey south to Vancouver.

Since then, Welch has been receiving dialysis three times a week. It's a treatment that's hard for a woman who's typically very independent.

Leg cramps prevent Welch from making what would normally be a five-minute walk to the hospital for treatment.

She often has to use a wheelchair to get to and from the sixth floor of the hospital.

Lintick noted though that just the other day, Welch was able to walk to the treatment, though she had to use a wheelchair to get back.

Now, Welch is beginning to take short walks when she can.

"She finds it very upsetting,” Lintick said.

One of her biggest supports is her 16-year-old son, Christopher.

While he's in school now, he'll take a week off to travel to Vancouver just before the kidney transplant and stay there for sometime after the surgery.

Being so far from family, especially her son, makes the situation even more difficult, Lintick said.

"It really sucks we don't have dialysis up here,” she said.

She does, however, understand the population base here is too small to merit the treatment.

Running a business could also be extremely difficult, though in this case, Lintick commented: "She's got some kick-ass staff” who have kept things running smoothly.

Technology has also proved beneficial. Welch can access the cameras in the bar from her iPhone, often getting her staff to wave for her.

The costs of keeping a home in the territory while staying in Vancouver for months and not working can swiftly add up.

That's why a bank account has been set up at the TD-Canada Trust Bank.

Residents can donate to bank account 9996-6386072 or contact tmacewan@hotmail.com along with attending the two night events at the Jarvis Street Saloon.

While the first night is set to feature rock music, the fund-raiser the following night will be a country show.

It's expected the event will happen the week of April 27, but the exact nights have yet to be set.

There will also be a live auction on the final evening. Any local businesses wanting to donate to that can call the bar at 668-4567, ext. 300.

A Facebook group has also been started at Team Debbie Fundraiser.

On April 29, the transplant will be done.

Welch is expected to be out of the territory possibly until July,

Lintick also anticipates a six- to eight-week period following surgery when she won't be able to work.

As it was explained to her by doctors though, her remaining kidney will slowly build up strength and function at the same capacity the two did.