Quilt donation helps to defray costs of leukemia treatment

Jim Moore creates colourful quilts as a hobby. And, as each one indicates a week’s worth of work, he has always reserved these crafted creations for only the closest of friends and family. However, one little girl’s story touched his heart enough to allow him to give one quilt to a total stranger.

Moore donated a yellow quilt to Three Mile Plains School to help raise money for Grade 1 student Kendra Wile, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. As a result, principal David Campbell was able to give her a cheque for $852.55, earned through a raffle on the quilt.

Ruth Chambers won the work of art June 19.

The yellow quilt was selected because it was a bright colour reminiscing happiness and sunshine, Moore said. “People see so much negative they need a bright spot in their life.

“I felt very privileged to be able to do this for Kendra because I’ve dealt with it (leukemia),” Moore said. “I had a cousin who died with the same situation of leukemia over 40 years ago.”

People never really realize how precious life is until something like this happens, Moore added. “Being able to help in anyway just makes you feel so humble.”

Kendra’s father Perry Smith says enough thanks can’t be expressed for all the community help. “The quilt is wonderful thing this man has done for Kendra. All the support is phenomenal.”

This is a hard thing to expect or to accept as a parent, but as time passes it becomes easier, Smith said. “ I think the world of Kendra and I’ll make sure she has everything she needs.”

Over the next two years, Wile will go through different phases of treatment for leukemia as she travels back and forth from Three Mile Plains to Halifax twice a week for visits to the IWK. The funds being offered by the community are helping pay for travelling costs and some medications.

The Three Mile Plains Elementary School really has been the biggest help through all this, Smith added. “I really can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me.”

Principal Campbell said anything the school could do to help was an easy decision to do. “There was a lot of community support in tickets sold, too.”

I think the winner will be extremely pleased with the quilt, Campbell added. “I know I am.”

Kendra said the quilt is good because it would make someone happy if they won.

The money will also be really good because it will be used for gas to the IWK, she noted. “Dad will be happy.”