Column by Julia Lucio

Last week, Cornwall was scene to one of the biggest shows of solidarity I’ve ever seen. I have witnessed this community come together in the past for fire victims or sick kids, but never at a level of this magnitude.

Lily Douglas is a 4 year old little girl who has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 RMS cancer. You probably have seen her picture and story in last week’s papers. Her mother took her to the hospital for what was believed to be some insect bite , only to end up in CHEO three days later, with a diagnosis that would forever change their lives.

To cope with the additional financial burden that comes with caring for a sick child, and to give Lily’s family peace of mind as they undergo the biggest challenge of their lives, their friends and family have started a gofundme account. The campaign is doing very well and had amassed over $15,000 at the time of print. The goal is $25,000.

Others have followed suit.

The Cornwall Seaway Lions Club has given $5,000, The Seekers Choice Awards’ silent auction gathered $2,000, a concert at La Maison fetched $3,800 and an impromptu car wash at Deke and Squeaks raised just over $1,000.

It is amazing to see it all come together. It is wonderful to realize how far we can go when we all put our efforts together towards the same objective.

Lily is an inspiration. She is an inspiration not only because she is a tough little girl who faces a gigantic challenge and has no problem bravely taking it on like the ninja superhero boss fighter that she is, but also because she has come to represent what is possible and how supportive this community is. She brings out the best in people.

For us at the Seeker, Lily symbolizes support for one another. Her story made us revisit how we do business. We asked ourselves the questions “why are we doing this?” , “what does really matter for us at the Seeker?” and “what do we want as an end result?” The answer to these questions is quite simple: we want to help and although we already give much to the community, we know we can do even more.

So starting this week, and until July 15, for every dollar spent by anybody who advertises in the Seeker, $0.25 will go to Lily’s Fight. After July, we will continue this trend, but will give advertisers the choice as to where they want their money to go. Agape, SASS, Baldwin House, PawPaws, OSPCA, Children’s Aid, Beyond 21, Focus Art, United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters are but a few of the charities The Seeker will be supporting.

We truly aim at being a real community newspaper, an outlet who really cares and nurtures the people it deals with.  So join us.  Help us. Help us help this wonderful city we live in. 

Thank you Lily for reminding us what’s important in life.