Benefit held for teen with terminal cancer
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
Savannah Lewis, 16, was diagnosed last fall with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, and this Christmas is likely her last.
However, the Copperas Cove community came out for Saturday’s block party to benefit her family on Saturday afternoon.
Savannah was unable to attend the event, held at North Pointe Church, but members of the community had her in their hearts.
The benefit block party included a variety of family-friendly activities including face painting, bounce houses, slingshot rides, balloon animals, and more. They also had food available for donation.
Food was donated by Bits ‘N Bites Cake Shop, Dam Sandwiches, and members of the community. Other local businesses donated prizes to be given away via raffles throughout the day. Firefighters handed out candy canes and let eventgoers check out their firetruck. Even Santa attended, occasionally dancing with participants to music provided by a DJ.
“She’s a member of the community, and her family is in need. We’re a community, and we’re staying together, and we wanted to help her,” said Simmonette Barnes, who organized the block party to help raise funds for the family.
Barnes said she heard about Savannah’s story through the media and wanted to do her part to help out the family. All of the money raised during Saturday’s event will go towards helping the Lewis family.
“I’ve always taught my kids that whether you’re rich or poor, you can always donate your time,” said Linda Leckie, who painted faces at the event. “Whether we raise a lot or a little, I guess we want the family to feel loved.”
Many of the people at the event did not know Lewis personally, but they felt touched in some way by her plight. Some said they would do the same for anyone in the community, others wanted to raise awareness of childhood cancer, and others had gone through similar experiences.
Sue Monks said that her granddaughter had suffered from Crohn’s Disease, and that there was a lot of community support for her. Monks said that volunteering for the block party was her way of giving back.
“I just feel like anything I can do for a needy family, I want to do,” said Monks.
Lewis attended Copperas Cove High School, and some of the teens from the school also attended the event.
“This is her last Christmas,” said Jay Leckie (15), who volunteered at Saturday’s event. “I think supporting her shows that she’s not alone and that people care about her.”
Those looking to follow Savannah Lewis’s story can do so at the group #SavannahStrong on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1778386645754208.