Gorham has been known to be a town full of politically-charged discussions, passionate clashes over school budgets, and lively banter about town growth. But, as often as our residents don’t see eye-to-eye, they certainly prove to have one another’s backs in times of trouble.
When a small group of parents from Narragansett heard that their karate-loving, lego-building, friend-to-everyone, third-grader, Kenny Reed, was seriously ill, they took the call to action.
Within a couple of weeks of the family receiving a diagnosis of Rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer, this group of parents started discussing how they could help.
“Kenny is going to kick cancer’s butt and we are going to help him,” said Crystal Shorey, who wrote in one of the groups’ first Facebook discussions.
As news spread, family friends found their way to the Kenny Strong Facebook Group. To show support for the Reeds, t-shirts and bracelets were designed and sold and meals started to be delivered to the family.
Although chemotherapy has been daunting and draining for Reed’s nine-year-old body, it is only a portion of the treatment he will need to battle his disease. Reed and his family will be required to remain in Boston while he is closely monitored by doctors during the six weeks of radiation treatment that will be added to his current chemotherapy.
Photo credit Disney® PhotopassThe Reed family on a recent trip to Walt Disney World®. Pictured (left to right) are: Matt and Laura Reed, along with their children Kenny, Matt Jr., and Megan.
The Kenny Strong Committee realized they needed to think bigger than the initial t-shirt fundraiser. Their mission was to alleviate as many stressors on the family as possible, so Matt and Laura Reed could focus solely on their son. And with that, the “Our Superhero, Kenny Family Fun Fundraiser” event was born.
The fun-for-the-whole-family fundraiser will be held on March 31 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Gorham Sports Center. While the children are working their wiggles out in the multiple bounce houses, testing their luck at four corners, their skill at corn hole and their agility with Ninja Frisbee, parents will be able to bid on hundreds of silent auction items donated by our generous community businesses, residents, and those from surrounding towns.
Auction items include camping trips, lawn treatments, hoverboards, gift cards towards body art, bowling packages, gym memberships, spa days, sports tickets, and home goods. And there will be plenty of other opportunities to win through multiple raffles and a 50/50 drawing.
Aimee Sargent voiced a shared feeling by the Kenny Strong Committee members, “I’m overwhelmed right now with the generosity of our community. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. As mothers of young children, and as residents of Gorham, we could not be prouder of our village and its dedication to saving one of our children.”
All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Reed family to help cover the costs of treatment and travel expenses associated with Reed’s cancer treatment. To purchase Kenny Strong t-shirts or bracelets or to make contributions, visit kennystrong.cheddarup.com.
If anyone is interested in volunteering at the event or would like to donate an auction item, please email Michelleinmancarlson@yahoo.com.