Community Corner

Fundraisers to Help Girl's Battle With Leukemia

A bone-marrow drive is scheduled this weekend, while local businesses are also stepping up to help with medical costs.


The family of a Durham girl in need of a bone marrow transplant recently received some good news when doctors discovered the girl's older sister was a match.

4 year old was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last fall and recently suffered a setback in her recovery. The news that her sister Maura could provide her with potentially life-saving bone marrow was shared by the family last week on a Facebook page created to raise awareness.

Brenna's supporters are moving forward with a bone marrow drive this weekend in an effort to help other children in a similar battle. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 18 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at .

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The event is free to participants who are only required to provide a cheek swab.

Meanwhile, local business have organized events to help the family defray medical costs.

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will host a Breakfast with Santa event from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday (before the drive) with all proceeds going to the Zettergren family.

"This is a small town, we should be helping people. I want to give back," says Matt Lockwood, the restaurant's owner. "I want to make sure they have a nice Christmas.

"I see that little girl and I could see my son, or my family in a similar predicament. It hits home," adds Lockwood who has three children of his own.

The breakfast will include a fixed menu at a reasonable price and a chance to visit with Santa according to Lockwood, who also said he plans to donate $425 that he recently won from the 50/50 raffle at the Durham Falcons year-end banquet.

will hold a Zumba® fundraiser on Thursday, Jan. 12 with proceeds going to Brenna's family. For more information click here.


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