Michelle Wallace's plight spotlights a critical need
Royal Register Editor | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 2 months AGO
As I spoke with Wes Wallace last week about his daughter Michelle's second battle with leukemia (this week's front page), I couldn't help but wonder what a community could do about situations like hers.
If you have at least a half a heart, you feel for Michelle and other neighbors with critical medical needs. You'd like to help, but you wonder just what your $10 can do.
So I am writing this column in hopes of planting the seed of an idea. Maybe South County residents, as a group, could develop a donation-raising mechanism to support a fund to help victims of critical medical challenges.
I may have met Michelle once, but I really don't know her. I know she volunteers medical services to victims of emergencies, and that alone makes her special.
"She's a fireball," veteran volunteer firefighter Ben Nelson said. "You can count on her on any call that comes in."
After we spoke, Wes sent a note with this heart-wrenching passage: "It is very difficult as a father to maintain self composure when discussing your child, no matter what their age is, when they are faced with a battle of their life and also for their life."
Wes has enough troubles just attending to Michelle and wife Kathie while continuing to work. South County neighbors could have eased his load with a community fund set up to help at least with logistical costs.
Michelle and her mother Kathie must live with her grandmother in Everett while Michelle is in this battle so Michelle can be within 30 minutes of a hospital. It gets costly for Wes to visit them, especially with today's gas prices.
Nelson noted last week that Fire District No. 10-11 volunteers have set up an account at US Bank to receive donations for Michelle. It is titled Michelle's Fight, Round 2.
Firefighters are selling cancer awareness bracelets for donations. They will be available at the fire department, the bank and NAPA Auto Parts.
Michelle is facing a monumental challenge. It is daunting to any of us who consider it individually. But it could be less daunting if we take it on collectively.
Maybe if we could develop a campaign because of Michelle, we'd have it in place to help in future similar situations. Maybe our civic organizations, such as the Lions Clubs, could lead the effort. Even school kids could campaign.
Think on it. There are roughly 15,000-20,000 people in South County. If $10 were donated for each one yearly, that would generate a handsome total.
There are probably at least 100 people who could put up $1,000. You do the math.
Yes, I know such an attempt would be accompanied by numerous challenges. But what are we here for, if not to solve challenges and help our neighbors.