A week ago Red Deer's Jodi McCutcheon had sold a dozen sock monkeys at $20 each in a loving effort to help Innisfail's Robin Brand's desperate task of taking her dying four-year-old daughter Brooke to New York City for a last chance hope to save her life.
However, following the Province's story last week on the financially-challenged family's plight, citizens of Innisfail and throughout the region rallied with an outpouring of financial support.
McCutcheon, a former school classmate of Brand, now has a back order of almost 119 sock monkeys. One monkey alone sold for $500 in an online auction on McCutcheon's Facebook site, Brooke's Hope and Fight with Batten Disease.
ìIt has been overwhelming, fantastic. I am working feverishly,î said McCutcheon. ìI am getting donations as well. I get people calling me saying they don't need a monkey but are still offering money to help.î
Last week Brand told the Province friends were helping her raise $4,000 she needed to take Brooke to New York City's Weill Medical College of Cornell University for a clinical trial of gene therapy treatment. Brooke was diagnosed last October with the disease, a rare, fatal, inherited disorder of the nervous system. Her brother Alexander died of the same disease on Sept. 20, 2011. The gene that causes Batten disease must come from both parents. Alexander and Brooke had different fathers, which makes the statistical probability of both siblings acquiring Batten disease almost unheard of in the medical community.
In the meantime, scores of citizens across Central Alberta have opened their hearts and wallets, believing if there is any chance, no matter how remote, to save the child's life then generosity is the order of the day.
J.J. Kidd, owner of Kidd Welding & Contracting in Rocky Mountain House, came to Innisfail last Friday and donated $10,000 to Brand and young Brooke.
ìWe are trying to step up to the plate. We spend a lot of money that isn't really necessary,î said Kidd. ìThis could help the little girl. Maybe at the end of the day people can realize that families have to stick together. Hopefully this will jump-start the community and they will come together.î
Kidd's visit was joined by Greg Nickel, owner of Fi/Fo Fitting in Blackfalds. He donated a cheque of $2,000 to Brand and her family.
ìMy wife Katrina has known Robin a long time. We were moved by the story, with what happened to Alex, and now Brooke,î said Nickel. ìIt is good to give back to the community.î
Across town at the Innisfail Legion, the ladies auxiliary voted last week to donate $500.
ìIt is terrible that the family can't get their expenses paid. That is stressful enough,î said Muffie Edwards, treasurer of the Innisfail Legion Ladies Auxiliary, noting the provincial government said in last week's Province that its regulations for out-of-country services exclude funding for experimental treatment or clinical trials.
Brand was overwhelmed last week with the outpouring of support, both emotional and financial.
ìIt means a lot to me,î she said during the visit of Kidd and Nickel. ìWe have our fingers crossed. Hope is all we have.î
Meanwhile, a planned fundraiser and silent auction Feb. 1 at Innisfail's Fox and Hound Sports Pub is still being planned.
Night manager Kristen Spatz said the pub is still accepting donations for the event. She said they can be dropped off at the pub, located at 5039 - 49th St., any time of day or evening. For more information on the event call Spatz at 403-506-6468.
"It means a lot to me. We have our fingers crossed. Hope is all we have."Robin Brand, mother
