Silent Auction Scheduled to Benefit Smith

Kyle Dean Smith, a ten year old student of Elkhorn Elementary School, is battling one of the worst forms of Leukemia. When his family were informed several days ago that Smith's sister and mother did not match him, the efforts of surrounding communities doubled to find a matching bone marrow donor for this boy who is now so precious to all.

The family and friends of Kyle Smith have been testing privately to ensure that the tests taken as a result of their efforts are first compared to Smith before being placed in the National Bone Marrow Registry to await matches for other patients in future. If individuals were to ask to be tested privately in this way, it would normally cost hundreds of dollars. Even group private testing, which the family and friends have been arranging, normally costs at least $52.00 dollars per test. However, due to a special government grant arranged by Barbara Nolan of the Cleveland Clinic, the tests taken in honor of Kyle cost only $25 dollars per test for processing. Those who can pay this reduced fee are asked to do so. Those who cannot are not turned away. Donations are being taken to help ensure that everyone who wishes to step up as a possible donor for Smith may do so. These generous donations have helped to pay for approximately 400 tests, (the last two drives held at the Mountain View Health Care Center in Elkhorn City, KY. on February 10 and 11 have not yet been counted, since one of them took place only today).

In view of this, a silent auction will be held at the Mountain View Health Care Center in Elkhorn City, KY. on Friday, February 13, 2009 and the proceeds from this auction will go into a special account set up to help pay the processing fees on more tests. This auction will include mostly new unused items as well as some items donated for the auction by Smith's family which are unused and like new. The auction will begin at 10 A.M.

The general public is warmly invited to attend.