Spruce Pine steps up for 6-year-old with cancer
Cheyann Nix was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia Oct. 9.
By Nicole Burns for the FCT
Less than two weeks after she received a devastating diagnosis, the community of Spruce Pine has rallied around one of its smallest members.
Oct. 9, 6-year-old Cheyann Nix was diagnosed with leukemia. Parents Jeremy and Patricia rushed her to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham that same day to begin the process of determining the type of leukemia so a battle plan to fight the disease could be established.
Cheyann’s extended family also sprang into action, creating a Facebook page called Cheyann’s Crusaders to rally prayer from friends and neighbors.
“When we first found out, we were uncertain about what kind of cancer it was. We were 95 percent sure that it was leukemia when they went to Birmingham, but there are different types of leukemia, and some are easier to treat than others,” said family member Brandy Bullock. “We needed prayers. We needed specific prayers.”
The Cheyann’s Crusaders Facebook page has also become a place where the Nix family can relay updates and receive encouragement from others without spending hours answering phones calls and text messages. Cheyann’s story is one that many are following because they’re investing both their prayers and their money to help the family.
Two camps were set up at Saturday’s Spruce Pine Day to help raise money. Friends of the Nix family served food items for #TeamCheyann, while extended family members set up a booth to sell donated items and goods. The people attending the festival opened their hearts and wallets to this family with more than $1,200 raised at the end of the day.
Friends of the Nix, Sherry Crandall, Frankie Crandall, Penny Cornelius, Karie Raburn and Shelby Hardman, help raise funds for Cheyann at Spruce Pine Day.
The money will help the Nix family travel to Birmingham each week for treatment. The type of leukemia Cheyann is fighting is called ALL, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and it’s not a quick fix. Doctors have told her parents to expect at lease two and a half years of treatment.
“(The fundraising) was a blessing,” said Patricia. “You don’t want to ask for help, but the community wants to help – especially when it’s a kid. I just want to say thank you for everything. All the prayers and support – it means a lot.”
Cheyann has a long road ahead of her with the first eight weeks of treatment critical since doctors need to see how the leukemia responds. The family did celebrate one piece of good news this week: there was no cancer found Cheyann’s spinal fluid. Patricia said she knows God is already helping her daughter. “Whenever Chy is ready, she will have one testimony to share with everyone. She’s a talker.”
Emmalin Nix, Ruby Green, Melvin (Bubba) Green, Ashley Green, Brandy Bullock, Paul McCurry, Evelyn Ashton and Tyler Cornelius, all part of the Nix family, help raise funds for Cheyann, who is facing a long course of treatment.
The Nix family is selling #TeamCheyann T-shirts to help with travel expenses. People can find information about the fundraiser and medical updates online by searching Facebook for Cheyann’s Crusaders.
