The community has rallied behind 5-year-old Kate Thornton and her family after doctors have given Kate only a few short weeks to live.
Kate Thornton, a five-year old Thomasville girl who is battling leukemia, had only been out of the hospital a day when the phone rang Saturday morning. On the other end was pop star Joe Jonas, a member of the famous band the Jonas Brothers, who would spend the next 30 minutes trying to cheer up a little girl who desperately needed it.
“[Kate] was so happy,” Kat Manzella, Kate’s godmother, said. “She kept telling him how much she loved him. We couldn’t believe it was really him. He absolutely made her day. It was the cutest thing ever. She was so excited and it was a good day. With so few good days, that one really counted.”
Jonas learned of Kate’s plight from someone who read about her story and wanted to help. Since Kate’s prognosis took a turn for the worst last Tuesday, acts of kindness have been flooding the Thornton family. Kisses4Kate, a nonprofit organization that is trying to raise money to put the Thornton family in a new home suitable for Kate’s many medical needs, has been overwhelmed with acts of generosity from near and far.
“Everyone has been incredible,” said Manzella. “The calls have been non-stop. It has been just crazy with the response we’ve been getting. I got a note from a little girl that said ‘Dear Kate, I love you very much. I don’t have much but here’s everything I have for you.’ Inside was two dollars. My heart just explodes when I see that kind of thing.”
Kisses4Kate already has raised more than $90,000 of the organization’s $100,000 goal that will provide a down payment on a new home in the Ledford community for the Thornton’s, a family of six who live in a small 1,100-square-foot house ill-equipped for Kate’s needs. Kate is currently staying at her grandparent’s home in Trinity, and doctors have told the family she only has a few weeks left to live. Kisses4Kate is trying to get the Thornton’s in their new home as soon as possible, and volunteers are working tirelessly to make it happen. Ledford High School held a fundraiser prior to last Friday night’s football game and collected more than $800 from donations and sales of pink arm bands made available through Carolina Cancer Services.
“It’s coming along,” Manzella said. “I’m pretty confident we’re going to get there. We are already talking to the builder about how soon we can get the house and get them moved in. People have really embraced it. We know at this point that this will be her legacy and will be something that goes on to help other children.”
Local organizations are answering the call as well. Pump It Up at 699 Sunshine Way in Greensboro is matching any donation made up to $50 on Sept. 5 at its inflatable party zone. On Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, Our Lady of the Highway Catholic Church on N.C. Highway 109 — Kate’s church — will be holding a fundraiser for the Thorntons. Karen Park, an independent Thirty One consultant, is having “A Purse Party” and a bake sale where all the proceeds will go to the Thornton family. Pink arm bands also will be on sale for $5.
“I thought we could do something for Kate,” said Park. “There will be something for everybody. I hope everything goes well and the day is successful. I hope we can raise lots of money for them.”
Cafe Arthur’s at 1416 S. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem, is holding a pancake benefit on Sept. 26 from 7 a.m to 2 p.m., and all proceeds will go to Kisses4Kate to help pay medical bills. This Friday night, the Kisses4Kate logo will appear on the hood of Carl Long’s No. 6 Rick Ware Racing truck at the NASCAR Truck Series race in Kentucky. Speed Channel will televise the race at 8 p.m. Plans also are in the works for a charity golf tournament at Winding Creek Golf Course on Saturday, Sept. 11.
For more information on Kate Thornton, visit Kisses4Kate.org.
Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-3578, or duke@tvilletimes.com.
Post a Comment
