Saturday, July 24, 2010
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Neighbors | Submitted .Ashley Mickey of Austintown prepared to take a card with $725 to 2-year-old Brett Wilcox at Akron Children's Hospital June 29. Wilcox is battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia and will undergo a bone marrow transplant in late July or early August.
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Brett Wilcox will leave for a hospital in Cincinnati on Monday to start the bone marrow transplant activities.
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Neighbors | Submitted .Orange wristbands were passed out as party favors to, from left, Kelsey Mickey, Ashley Mickey, Taylor Connolly, Chloe Cox and Leah Connolly at Ashley's 8 1/2 birthday party June 26. The wristbands helped raise awareness of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and were adorned with the slogan Brett's Battle; Faith, Strength and Courage.
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Neighbors | Submitted .Guests at Ashley Mickey's birthday party placed their handprints on a card for 2-year-old Brett Wilcox. Mickey accepted monetary donations to help Wilcox battle cancer in lieu of birthday gifts for herself.
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Neighbors | Submitted .Ashley Mickey (right) delivered a card and $725 she raised at her birthday party to 2-year-old Brett Wilcox at Akron Children's Hospital June 29. Mickey asked her party guests to bring donations instead of presents to her 8 1/2 year birthday party June 26.
By CHRISTINE KEELING
Jeff and Lynn Mickey of Austintown were stunned and overwhelmed with emotions when their 8-year-old daughter Ashley revealed her big heart and plan to raise money for a local boy she had never met.
Ashley learned about 2-year-old Brett Wilcox’s battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at a benefit dinner in March at St. Brennan’s Church and began to look for ways to help.
Her 8 1/2 birthday party June 26 at her grandmother and grandfather’s Cortland pool seemed like the perfect opportunity. Ashley sent out invitations asking that in lieu of gifts for her, guests bring monetary donations to help Brett’s battle.
“I found out he was sick and wanted to help him and his family,” said Ashley.
The party was decorated with Acute Myeloid Leukemia’s awareness color: orange. Balloons, napkins, plates and cake greeted more than 45 people. A poster with pictures of Brett and his family warmed hearts and Ashley created a huge card for guests to place handprints and donations on.
She delivered the card June 26 with $725 to Brett and his parents at Akron’s Children’s Hospital.
“We couldn’t get close to him, but his father brought him to the doors in a wagon,” said Lynn.
Brett suffers from an adult form of cancer that affects the healthy cells in bone marrow. The condition leaves his immune system weak and his body unable to fight off infections naturally, so he spends a lot of time in the hospital. His parents have taken time off work since October to stay close to their son.
“It’s been a long 9 1/2 months,” said Brett’s mother, Sharon Wilcox.
Her appreciation for the support that has been generated within the community and across the nation is evident in her voice.
“It’s been overwhelming, unbelievable,” said Sharon. “I don’t know how we could have gotten through this without the church and community support.”
Sharon was amazed that Ashley would give her son’s battle a second thought.
“Such a young girl did such a big thing,” she said.
Ashley’s dedication to Brett’s battle isn’t over. She sold lemonade and candy bars outside her Countryside Avenue home July 23 to raise more money for the Wilcox family.
The public can make contributions to help Brett’s battle at any Huntington Bank Location.
Brett will undergo a bone marrow transplant in late July or early August at Cincinnati Hospital.