The Giving Market

Fundraising event in Silverhill to raise awareness in fight against leukemia

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 7/19/17

SILVERHILL, Alabama — What started out as a small blood drive in Silverhill has evolved into a major fundraising event with sponsors, more than 30 vendors and support from a major media …

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The Giving Market

Fundraising event in Silverhill to raise awareness in fight against leukemia

Posted

SILVERHILL, Alabama — What started out as a small blood drive in Silverhill has evolved into a major fundraising event with sponsors, more than 30 vendors and support from a major media group.

“The response from the community has been overwhelming,” said Emily Sanders Williams.

It all started when Williams, a graduate of Robertsdale High School, and her mom, Lauren Sanders, who works at Robertsdale Elementary School, wanted to organize a blood drive.

“So many people need it and we simply don’t have enough events around here to provide people with opportunities to give blood,” Williams said.

So she called LifeSouth to organize a blood drive, to be held Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Little Bohemian Hall in Silverhill.

But she wanted to do more. She wanted to do something to raise awareness for leukemia and other blood cancer diseases.

“I have not been personally touched by leukemia,” she said. But she has been personally touched by cancer, which claimed the lives of both her grandmother and her aunt over the past year. “I just want people to be more aware of this disease that affects so many lives.”

According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS.org), blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will account for more than 10 percent (estimated at over 170,000 of nearly 1.7 million) of the total new cases of cancer diagnosed in the United States this year.

Approximately every 3 minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer and there are currently nearly 1.3 million people in the U.S. that are either living with or are in remission from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.

So Williams and Sanders reached out to the community and the result is The Giving Market, “a place where small businesses come together to give back to the community.”

In addition to the blood drive, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event will include 30 vendors, entertainment provided by a local D.J., food provided by The Good Guys, and Mrs. K’s Sno-Ball Shoppe.

There will also be a crafting area for children, including a space where children can create their own painted rocks, which will then be placed around the area.

Queens from Loxley’s Little Miss Strawberry pageant; Silverhill’s Little Miss Heritage pageant and Robertsdale’s Little Miss Honeybee pageant will also be on hand to greet guests.

The event has also partnered with the Cumulus Media Group, which includes more than 450 radio stations nationwide, including local FM stations WABD 97.5; WBLX 92.9; WDLT 104.1, and WGOK gospel 900 AM.

“They’re helping us get the word out,” Williams said, “and will be broadcasting live on the day of the event.”

In addition, the event will serve as a fundraiser for 4-year-old Kallie, and young Keaton, who are both battling with the disease.

“Keaton’s family live in Gainesville (Florida) so won’t be able to attend,” Williams said, “and while Kallie won’t be able to come, there will be some members of her support group in attendance.”

A Facebook group has been set up for the event. You can also get more information by emailing Williams at emilysanders7203@yahoo.com.