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Parisian Flea Market in Carmel raises funds for people fighting critical illnesses

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — It’s a one-of-a-kind shopping experience packed with upscale items people can buy for their homes.

The Parisian Flea Market event at the Clay Terrace mall in Carmel has been the biggest annual fundraiser for the Fair Haven Foundation. It’s an organization with a program that houses people who are seeking treatment in Indianapolis for serious illnesses and their families.

From cancer to high-risk pregnancy and more, the organization aims to provide families with a home away from home.

Amanda Milner, the founder and executive director of Fair Haven, has been an advocate for these families ever since she fought through her own battle with cancer. She talked on Friday’s “All Indiana” about some of the obstacles she faced along her cancer journey.

“I faced cancer myself several years ago and just went through the challenges that so many people face,” she said. “Just financially how am I going to support my family? How am I going to get a ride to my treatment? Who’s going to take care of my children? (I) was so blessed with wonderful family and friends who were there for me.”

It’s why she wanted to create a support system for other families coming to Indianapolis facing these same hardships.

“It’s such a joy to be able to offer something that really helps,” she said. “They’re here and they need a place to stay so they can get the treatment they need to survive and plus they need the support and compassion of someone here to walk them through that journey. That’s what Fair Haven offers.”

“The funds that are raised here allow us to do a lot of things with Fair Haven and serve a lot of families in central Indiana,” said event chair Diann Leubker.

This year, the Fair Haven Foundation will launch a new project called Ada’s Place. The facility that will allow them to house even more families going forward. It opens Sunday.

The Parisian Flea Market continues through Saturday, open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.