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Fundraiser set for Castlegar family

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Corbin Lew (left)

On Jan. 13, 10-year-old Castlegar resident Corbin Lew became ill and was taken by Medevac to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

He underwent multiple tests, including spinal tap and MRI’s but no diagnosis was made.

“Though he showed some signs of improvement the swelling in the brain continued and last Monday evening he was given a brain biopsy,” Joanne Baker, whose granddaughters Savonnah and Shailynn go to school with Corbin said. “On Friday evening I received the call saying Corbin has lymphoma and will  need to be in Vancouver for about six months.”

For another two weeks, Corbin will stay in Children’s Hospital, then he will become an out-patient.

Baker said Savonnah and Shailynn have been friends with Corbin and his twin brother Chris since Kindergarten.

“Over the past month that Corbin has been away they have expressed the need to help,” she said. “As a Grandma, I am helping them organize a garage sale and bake table to be held [on Saturday] from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Legion has kindly donated their hall and will provide the supplies for coffee. Starting with the generous donations of household items from the Foodikoffs, we are now  looking for  more donations from family and friends.”

Money raised will be placed in an account for Corbin's mother, Connie.

“We know that while she and Chris live in Vancouver for Corbin's outpatient treatment the bills in Castlegar will continue – rent and utilities will need to be paid,” Baker said. “We know that Connie will not be working but will be where she needs to be to support her boys. 

“I have a letter from the father (who has been in Vancouver since the first day) that was sent to his employer – it states that all funds raised by the community are for Mom and the twins. Even though they are separated in marriage, they are standing together to fight this battle.”

Anyone with recyclables can take them to TeeJays and have Corbin Lew’s fund credited. A trust fund has also been set up at the Bank of Montreal.

The fundraiser will take place at the Legion on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.