Fundraiser for 8-year-old with leukemia a major success
CBC News | Posted: February 3, 2016 10:00 AM | Last Updated: February 3, 2016
More than $46,000 has been raised to help Callum Thomson, diagnosed with leukemia, and his family
A community has rallied around an eight–year–old boy who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, raising money to help with living and travel expenses for the family.
Callum Thomson is in Halifax receiving treatment and is expected to be there for the next nine months. His mother is staying with him, while his father and younger brother and sister travel back and forth on weekends so the family can be together.
They're very grateful. — Debbie Beck, family friend
On Sunday, the community of Belfast held a concert to raise money for the Thomson family.
Debbie Beck is a friend of the family who helped organize the concert, which raised $27,000 dollars.
"I'm sure they're not surprised by how the community has come together, but they are overwhelmed by the amount of donations that are coming in. But they're very grateful," she said.
Along with the money from the concert, another $19,000 was raised in an online auction.
Beck says Thomson's prognosis is good and the family is feeling very positive. She says treatment will likely be tough for the eight-year-old, because he's usually an active kid who loves to play sports and be outside.
Those who wish to donate can do so through the website gocalgo.com. There is also a hockey game being held in Alberton Saturday night to raise money for both Thomson and the Conor Shea Memorial Jersey Fund.