It’s said that alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much; that people coming together as a community can make things happen.
This rings true for the community of Port Elgin as they band together to support one of their own.
5-month-old Kyleigh Buckton was born with congenital heart defects and now the little girl is facing one of the toughest battles of her life.
After taking a turn for the worse last week, Buckton was rushed to hospital in Southampton, transferred to Victoria Hospital in London and now, under the care of some of the best medical professionals in the world, is undergoing delicate heart surgery at the Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto.
By her side every step of the way, Buckton's parents Kristy and Brent Buckton, are waiting patiently as their little princess undergoes a five to ten hour operation to repair her heart.
“We’re just waiting, she’s gone into surgery so we have a long day ahead of us, it’s just a waiting thing, it’s tough today that’s all,” says Kyleigh’s grandmother Sue Buckton. “This is the scariest place in the world, this hospital; it’s the best place to be but it’s scary, I’ll tell ya.”
A Go Fund Me account, set up by Kyleigh’s aunt, Farley Ring, has now already raised $16,500 to help the family with expenses and lost wages as they stay by their little girl’s side every step of the way.
Kyleigh’s grandmother is completely overwhelmed at the support from their small Saugeen Shores community.
“We’re literally overwhelmed and we’re very, very grateful; I think that all the love she’s receiving has definitely helped because she’s just getting better every day and we’re just speechless, we’re just grateful,” says Buckton.
The donations and support keep coming in, a true testament of the strength of a small community that cares.
“We’re so blown away, you know, we haven’t been home for two weeks but we just keep getting all these messages, we’re just speechless, it’s just crazy, absolutely crazy,” adds Buckton.
A special fundraiser and silent auction event, called Kisses For Kyleigh, will be held on November 18 at the Lakeshore Recreation Banquet and Fitness Facility in Port Elgin from 9pm to 1am.