The last few years have been tough on the Burton family.
Three years ago, Shelly Burton, of Oxford, who had worked at Meijer as a manager, lost her job and health benefits. She went to work at a home daycare center so that she and her husband Jim’s daughter, Nicole (or ‘Colie?, as she is often called), could attend for free.
Last year, Jim was out of work as a cabinet maker for six months due to back surgery. During that time, the family had to file for bankruptcy and one of their cars was repossessed.
Shelly was returning to school to finish her bachelor’s degree at Oakland University when the family received bad news on Sept. 11, 2008.
Colie was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.
According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, ALL is the most common type of leukemia for children under 15. Most children with ALL are cured of this blood cancer after treatment.
The family is now facing the possibility of losing their home. They have MIChild Insurance for Colie, but they must also transport her to Children’s Hospital in Detroit on a weekly basis for treatment.
To help the family with its medical bills and living expenses, there will be a ‘Colie’s Cure for Tomorrow? dinner and dance benefit Nov. 8 at the Metamora Lion’s Club. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m.
The B.Y.O.B. event will feature dancing and a silent auction. There are about 150 items up for auction, among them a diamond bracelet, curio cabinet, four tickets to a Detroit Pistons game, a bicycle and various gift certificates for meals, manicures and other items.
There will be a DJ playing music primarily from the fifties and sixties.
Food to be served includes mostaccioli, Caesar salad, bread and various drinks and desserts. There will also be a bake sale.
Tickets are $10 each for those 13 and above.
For more information, contact Sharon Lang at 248-628-0777 or e-mail her at lang.sharon@sbcglobal.net.