Amber Dugan: A quiet plea for a special girl

[Kevin Butler]

Observers, this is a special thread on Maile Avenue's Amber Dugan and her family, who stand to benefit from an upcoming fundraiser. This was part of my last CityMinutes email newsletter, which can be viewed in its entirety here. I'll also post this in the Announcements section.

I hope you'll find Amber's story as compelling as I have.

We're fortunate to live in a community that still believes in community, and this coming month we'll have an opportunity to rally around the Dugans of Maile Avenue, a wonderful western Lakewood family.

In 2004 fourth-grader Amber Dugan, the perfect picture of adolescent vitality, was diagnosed with a rare cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma, which attacks the bones of children. Now just 12 years old, Amber has already endured marrow transplants, the removal of part of her rib, radiation treatments and, most recently, rounds of grueling chemotherapy.

Amber, her parents Melissa and Jim, and her younger sibs Brittany and Nick are battling back. Amber shines as a student, maintains her own website and aims to push the cancer into remission after her latest treatments. But the staggering medical costs grow while the Dugans fight Amber's cancer together, now on only one income.

We can help the Dugans.

Here's an easy way. On Thursday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m., friends will host a casual but festive party at one of western Lakewood's favorite hangouts, Around the Corner at 18616 Detroit, to support Amber. There's no cost to attend, but tips from food and beverage sales will go toward Amber's care, and there'll be plenty of fun raffles and auctions on the side. I'll be there celebrating this beautiful family and would be happy if you joined me.

You may also give directly to the Amber Dugan Fund at any Chase Bank location, or simply email me at butler@councilmanbutler.com and I'd be glad to pass along contact information.

Amber and the Dugans need our prayers, our love and our support. Thanks for everything you offer to them, and to this community.

Best wishes,

Kevin Butler
(Ward 1 Council)

[Kevin Butler]

Amber is a great kid. Glad to see so many people out to support the Dugans.

Special thanks to:

:: Ward 1's Sherri Pappas, a friend of the Dugans, who arranged the whole thing without even the family knowing about it, and the Hartsels, who staffed the party and guest-bartended.

:: Leo Buckon, who attended representing his wife (and Lakewood Human Services Director) Dottie, who was at the pasta dinner benefiting her department's Division of Aging at the same time.

:: the class of 1993 from St. Ed's, which came out in numbers to support their old classmate Jim Dugan.

:: Fr. Jim Klein from St. James, who gave some thoughtful remarks to Amber and the attendees.

:: Mickey and Ryan Krivosh and their staff at Around the Corner, who donated tips to the Amber Dugan Fund and managed to make everyone feel at home.

:: and the many superb people who are perfect strangers to the Dugans, and yet who found the time to support them as if they were family.

Thanks as well to dl meckes, who made this a priority announcement on the Observation Deck. Very much appreciated.

Kevin Butler
(Council, Ward 1)