Supporting Kylie – a community response

Jeff Green | Nov 05, 2009

When Kylie, the two-year-old daughter of Vickie and Peter Babcock, developed lung and liver cancer two months ago, it more than changed the lives of the Babcock family.

They have been by Kylie’s side throughout, spending time in Toronto at Sick Children’s hospital, and in Kingston at KGH. Thankfully, Kylie’s prognosis has improved after two bouts of chemotherapy and doctors are hoping to be able to operate later this year after more chemotherapy. So the Babcocks look forward with fear and hope to the next few months.

Aside from the stress of Kylie’s illness and care, the Babcocks are facing a financial burden. While it is hard for the community to help them through all of their struggles, finances are one area in which the community can pitch in.

The family has been supported by their workplaces in a big way. Atkinson’s Home Hardware in Hartington, where Peter works, has not only kept his job secure, the staff has raised quite a bit of money as well. And Vickie works at a local seniors’ home where she has also been assured that she needn’t worry about her job.

But money is still a problem. The family has been paying for travel and food during the treatments, and there have been medical costs as well. At the end of each of Kylie’s chemotherapy sessions, it is costing the Babcocks $2,500 for a new treatment that is not covered by OHIP, and with two sessions done and two more coming, that adds up to $10,000.

Friends, relatives, and neighbours have put together three events to raise money and show support.

On November 14 there is a bus trip to the SAMKO-MIKO toy company and the IKEA store in Ottawa. The bus costs only $25, and there are almost enough people committed to the trip to fill one bus. A portion of the sales at SAMKO-MIKO is being donated to the family.

On November 21, starting at 8 pm, there is a licensed dance scheduled at the Verona Lions Hall. Performers will include Rick Smith and Free Beer, Sydenham High School band Rick Bottom, and SHS acoustic performer Alex Garofalo. Tickets are $10 and there will be a silent auction and Christmas decoration sponsorship as well. All of the performers are playing for free and an anonymous donor is covering the cost of the hall, so all the money raised will go to the family.

On November 28, the popular Verona gospel band Crimson River will be playing a concert, starting at 6:30 pm, at the Verona Free Methodist Church. There will be a silent auction at that event as well, and admission is by donation.

For information about all of the above-mentioned events, call Tonya Selle at 613-376-6514.