TRAVERSE CITY -- A proud but worried grandma is finding comfort in her community's generosity.
Darla Miller is throwing a fundraiser benefit Sunday for granddaughter, Kaydence Sherwood, 5, who has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL. Diagnosed in August, Kaydence, who lives in Kaukauna, Wisc., must travel five hours weekly to Madison for treatment. Expenses including medical bills, medication, travel costs and loss of work wages have been piling up for her mother.
So Miller and her longtime boyfriend, Tim Larson, are reaching out for help.
"We just want to help them out, to make this less of a financial struggle," said Miller, who with Larson co-owns TC Rentals.
The fundraiser for Kaydence will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Union Street Station in Traverse City. Events include a silent auction, 50-50 raffle, food, music and refreshment as well as door prizes.
Asking friends, clients and even strangers for help, well aware of the tough economy, was somewhat daunting. But Miller and Larson have been amazed at the response, with people eager to help the well-known couple and their granddaughter, who was born and lived in Traverse City for years.
"People have been very, very generous, donating for the silent auction," said Miller, adding that Kaydence visited Michigan regularly to see her father, Darla's son, Aaron Sherwood, and other relatives. Since being diagnosed she has been unable to travel, so family members go to her.
Larson found a local band, Soulkast, that stepped up to help late last week, volunteering to play for the event.
"I asked them how much and they said no problem, this is why we do what we do," he said.
Dr. Brandon White was instantly supportive of the fundraiser, recalling how the community helped him during his own battle with leukemia. A young chiropractor then just launching a practice, he was shocked at the diagnosis. Now a 41/2 -year survivor, he is offering a year's free chiropractic care in the silent auction in honor of Miller and Larson, his longtime patients.
"I was less than a year out of school and I didn't have insurance -- that was a real stress for me -- and the way people stepped up for me made all the difference in the world," White said. "I myself went through a bone marrow transplant and I saw a lot of young children in there and I saw the effect it has on families and friends."
"Certainly, it hits a little bit closer to home when it somebody you know so well," he said.
The bubbly, goofy and usually high-energy Kaydence simply drooped over the summer. While visiting during the National Cherry Festival, she ran a fever and tired easily, choosing to lie down instead of play. Initially diagnosed as having one of the many viruses floating around, she became sicker after returning home. After her skin turned yellow, Kaydence had more tests and doctors soon found the leukemia.
"She spent an intense week in the hospital, she had to undergo blood transfusions," Miller said.
Kaydence and her family have a long road ahead. She will be under treatment for two and a half years, with the intensive weekly chemotherapy lasting six to eight months. One disappointment has been not starting kindergarten this fall because of her compromised immune system and weekly travel schedule.
Kaydence has maintained a good attitude overall since being diagnosed, even being philosophical about losing her long hair as treatment progresses.
"Her mom started to cry and Kaydence said, 'It's OK, Mom, it'll grow back,'" Miller said. "She's very sweet and she's being real brave."
Donations for Kaydence will be accepted by Darla Miller, 2062 Averills Circle Traverse City, 49686. Make checks payable to Kaydence Rose Sherwood.
Print this story
E-mail this story
