A blood donor and swabbing clinic will take place in Tilbury next week for a two-year-old girl from Stoney Point who is battling leukemia.
Megan Patrick was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the end of 2018. Her parents first noticed something may have been wrong with their daughter when she began to cry in pain while playing around the house. Once she calmed down, her parents assumed it wasn't anything serious until Megan began to limp.
Then, two days before Christmas during an emergency room visit, her parents received the news that Megan had leukemia.
Since her diagnosis, Megan has been in and out of the hospital receiving treatment. Family friend Chantelle Meadows has known Megan's family for over 30 years and said her parents have been by Megan's side throughout the whole journey while also caring for Megan's two siblings.
"Right now the family is focused on keeping the home healthy and strong and praying for a quick recovery and that all these treatments work quickly," said Meadows.
Since Megan's diagnosis, Meadows has organized several fundraisers in support of the toddler and her family. Now, Tilbury Auto Mart is lending a hand to help them out.
On March 25 it will hold a blood donor clinic and stem cell swab event at the Tilbury Arena in support of Megan and her recovery.
Adam Lally, owner of Lally Ford, said the auto mall already had plans to host a blood donor clinic this month but when they heard Megan's story, they were compelled to get involved.
"I think we take for granted our health care system," said Lally. "Just the idea that the people that need blood and need this type of care could be your neighbours, could be your friends and in many cases, like this, there's someone that's young and lives just up the road from us."
Lally said the goal is to have 125 come to the clinic. For every person that donates blood, The Tilbury Auto Mall will donate $10 to the Mighty Megan Fights Leukemia Campaign.
According to Meadows, the campaign helps Megan's family out with some of the financial burdens they are enduring.
"That will help support any costs that they need. Support with travel costs to London, transportation, any medication that might not be covered or supplies that might not be covered throughout their journey," she said.
In addition to the Canadian Blood Service holding the blood drive, there will also be local representatives from the Katelyn Bedard Bone Marrow Association on site for a swab event. People ages 17 to 35 can get swabbed and be placed on the bone marrow registry to help anyone who's currently waiting for a bone marrow transplant.
"While we're doing the blood clinic why don't we get swabs, get that word out there and maybe someone else could save another person's life," said Meadows. "It kind of all comes together."
The clinic will take place from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but Meadows suggests that anyone who's interested in attending register ahead of time by clicking here.
As for Megan, Meadows said she will be starting her next, more intense round of chemotherapy in London next week. Although she doesn't completely understand what's going on around her, Meadows said that Megan loves to see the community supporting her.
"She understands a bit, but she is only two and a half. What we are trying to encourage people to do is take pictures," Meadows said. "Megan really likes to see pictures of everyone trying to support her."