Charlie Hibbert-Koble, photos courtesy Melissa Hibbert- Koble (GoFundMe page)

By Erika Rolling

Fundraiser

Silent auction items wanted in Valleyview to benefit toddler battling cancer

Nov 9, 2022 | 12:30 PM

An event that was sold out in just four days’ time is looking for silent auction items to be donated, with the funds going to the family of a two-year-old boy battling an aggressive form of cancer.

Charlie Hibbert-Koble was diagnosed with neuroblastoma this summer and has been undergoing chemotherapy and countless tests, scans, and surgeries since being diagnosed.

The Glitz’d Gala in Valleyview on November 19, is raising funds for Charlie’s family which has to travel to Edmonton and Calgary for treatments, lasting around 21 days per round.

Christine Landry, owner of Glitz’d in Valleyview and organizer of the Glizt’d Gala says she knew she had to do something for the family when she first heard the news of Charlie’s diagnosis.

“We watch grown-ups go through this… you can’t even wrap your mind around how a family deal with a little boy that has cancer, and what that struggle looks like, it’s the saddest thing you can imagine.”

Landry says it’s important and close to her heart to help local people going through struggles with sickness, as she herself has lost two family members to cancer in recent months.

She says Charlie’s mom, Melissa grew up in Valleyview and went to school, and volunteered with her before moving to Mayerthorpe for her husband Gabriel’s work.

“We are trying to make it better for his family, a little bit easier…. ease some of the pain and just let them know that we’re advocating for them. We’re here, cheering, watching Charlie’s journey through it all.”

Donations for the silent auction are being looked for from anywhere, “anybody that’s willing to help or can help out,” says Landry along with even monetary donations.

A GoFundMe has also been set up for expenses related to travel, food, medical, and financial burdens for the family. Updates on Charlie’s journey are also posted on the fundraising page.

“This is a big thing financially, emotionally for them to go through,” Landry notes.

If you are wanting to donate an item for the silent auction, you can contact Christine Landry at 780-552-6155 to make arrangements for donations.