Recently my little sister was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is one of the most curable forms of cancer, so we are very happy about that.

“Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the two main types of lymphoma. About 11.5 per cent of people with lymphoma have Hodgkin lymphoma. The rest have one of many different kinds of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.” – www.leukemia-lymphoma.org

Many of you know my little sister, mostly those who work on the main street in Bracebridge. I wanted to write this as a thank-you for all your support and kindness.

Thank you Jon (one of Laura’s best friends) who organized a last-minute fundraiser for her. It let us have some fun before a long and emotional time, as the chemotherapy started May 2. The fundraiser had lots of prizes donated by many stores. Thank you to Liz who called stores and collected the prizes. Thank you to all the stores who donated, the prizes were great and it was a lot of fun.

I would also like to thank the owners and staff at True North Log Homes (where my mom works) for their kindness, understanding and support toward my mom, who has taken time off work to drive or tag along on our trips to Toronto and now Barrie to be with her daughter. She has been with Laura every step of the way! A $500 Home Depot gift card was purchased and raffled off. All the proceeds went to my mom, which also helps out a lot.

Muriel had a card for Laura that many people signed, thank you Muriel. These gestures from all of you are so inspiring and it shows me how much a community comes together in tough times. Thank you.

Laura, we all love you and are here for you. Just know that you have many arms that will hold you, many shoulders that will support you and many voices to comfort you.

I love you.

Erica East

Bracebridge