Fundraising efforts are underway to help Bradford mom Lindsey Lewis battle a rapidly progressing form of blood cancer known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Committed to supporting Lewis's fight for life, the Bradford Mammas group is organizing a dedicated Family Day Event on Saturday, July 9. Proceeds from the event will go to her costly drug treatment.
“Unfortunately, this seems to be her last resort. As much as she is fighting for her life, we all want her to know that we are all behind her, and she is never alone,” said Genna Colucci, the event organizer.
Lewis, a 35-year-old mother, was first diagnosed in September 2021 and has since been in and out of the hospital, and currently has been there for some time.
“I continue to fight hard and push forward for my children. They are my entire reason for being. I have stayed home with them and raised them since they were babies, and I am fighting hard every day to get back to them,” said Lewis as she finds hope in an experimental treatment.
“I have been told that I am likely the only person in the world to currently be trying this specific combination of drugs. There is not enough research to give us a clear answer about the outcome, but we remain hopeful.”
With roughly 3,000 members, says Colucci, Bradford Mammas strives to help everyone in any way possible.
“We are all wishing Lindsey well. We are sending words of encouragement, thinking of her daily, and right there with her fighting the unimaginable.”
Bradford Mamma’s Family Day will be held at the Portuguese Cultural Centre at 767 Simcoe Rd. The event features a traditional barbecue from noon to 2:30 p.m., and entertainment activities including bouncy castles, raffle items, prizes, face painting, and a magician from 2 to 4 p.m.. The movie Encanto will be shown at 8:30 p.m. with popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy available.
Lewis said the generosity of the community and her supporters has meant the world to her and her family.
“The financial support has allowed me to avoid yet another hardship on this journey and has enabled me to pay for the current treatment. It has also allowed for savings to be set aside for my children’s education.”
She added that she is incredibly grateful to those who have helped to take her children to and from school, for the hot meals delivered to her doorstep, and for phone calls, grocery drop-offs, Christmas gifts purchased, and the list goes on and on.
“It has humbled me, and reminded me that I have an incredible army standing behind me.”
Colucci, in turn, expressed her special gratitude to Bradford Mammas’ members Debbie Viveiros and Shanna Brander, who sponsored the event along with dozens of local businesses.
Tickets for the barbecue are $18 for adults, which includes a choice of meat, two sides, assorted drinks, and dessert, and $8 for children, including meat, a side, bag of chips, and drink. Vegetarian options are available. The tickets are sold directly by Genna Colucci ([email protected])
