Pennies for Paige, a non-profit charity dedicated to supporting a Flower Mound family with a child suffering from a rare form of Leukemia, is hosting a wine tasting and auction on Dec. 2 at Royal Affairs Ballroom in Lewisville.
Paige Boutilier, 7, was first diagnosed with Acute-T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age four. She endured more than two years of extensive chemotherapy that concluded in January. Life for Paige and her twin sister, Abbie, seemed to be returning to normal.
Unfortunately, Paige relapsed in August.
The cancer is back and has settled in her central nervous system. With only a few documented cases of relapse occurring this late after such an extensive treatment, the doctors are now implementing an even more aggressive care plan. Paige’s second fight for her life includes more chemotherapy, cranial radiation and a possible bone marrow transplant. Even with insurance, the financial cost of Paige’s healthcare is high.
As Paige’s health issues were unfolding, her mother, Jodie Boutilier, continued her commitments as a volunteer for the Town of Flower Mound. She has dedicated many hours serving on the Oil & Gas Advisory Board, the Board of Adjustments, and the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals.
“Jodie has done so much for the Flower Mound community, and we knew the community would want to help her in return,” said Kendra Stephenson, a member of the Pennies for Paige steering committee.
“It is heartbreaking for any child to suffer from cancer, but for it to happen a second time is almost too much to comprehend. The Flower Mound community must feel the same way. They are supporting the Boutiliers through numerous grass roots fundraisers, meal deliveries and prayer.”
Local fundraisers have included Marcus High School cheerleaders gathering donations during a Friday night game; a town-wide garage sale in October; hot chocolate sales during local fall festivals; and kids creating lemonade stands. On Thanksgiving Day, the Bella Lago neighborhood will be collecting money for Paige during its annual Turkey Trot.
And then there are the yellow pigs sprinkled around town. Local businesses such as Alongis Italian Market & Deli, Mooyah, Rita’s Italian Ice, and Schlotzsky’s Deli are displaying yellow polka dot change pigs that read: Pennies for Paige.
The Pennies for Paige Wine Tasting & Auction will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 pm at Royal Affairs Ballroom, 140 Main Street in Lewisville.
Individual tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.penniesforpaige.com or by calling 940-293-3452. Table sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5,000. The evening will include wine selections by Wines by La Buena Vida Vineyards, catering by Square One, and entertainment by Mid-Life Crisis Band.
The auction will include more than 50 notable items including a Michael Kors Showstopper Glitz watch; autographed sports items from Kenny “The Snake” Stabler, Troy Aikman, Mean Joe Green and golf pro D.A. Weibring; custom oil painting by local artist Barbara Hack; and a private wine tasting party at La Buena Vida Vineyards.
Sponsors of the event are Alongis Italian Market & Deli, Champion Marketing, The Cross Timbers Gazette, Cloud 9 Charities, Everything Clicks, La Buena Vida Vineyards, Mid-Life Crisis Band, Square One and Sunwest Communications.
Pennies for Paige was started by Flower Mound residents and business owners who learned of the Boutilier family’s second fight with their daughter’s rare Leukemia diagnosis.
The Pennies for Paige steering committee includes Chris Henry, Jenny Rogers, Lindsay Holladay, Kendra Stephenson, Susan Huskinson, Sydney Townsend and Tom Hayden.
More information about Pennies for Paige can be found at www.penniesforpaige.com or on the Pennies’ Facebook page.
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