FREDERICKTOWN — “Friends don’t let friends fight Cancer alone” is a great motto, and it has been put into practice by the friends of Bailey Mast.
Bailey is well-known in Fredericktown as a kind, athletic, outgoing, 23-year-old neonatal nurse; a former “Little Miss Tomato” and the 2015 Homecoming queen. No one expects a young person like Bailey to get serious breast cancer; the kind of cancer that requires chemo, and radiation and a mastectomy.
Bailey’s illness will require long, intensive, expensive treatment and time off work while the medical bills and the regular bills will need to be paid.
While Bailey and her family and friends were digesting this already devastating news, a new hurdle arose – Bailey learned she is expecting her first child. The new baby, a boy, was welcome, happy news, but with the pregnancy, new and expensive treatment and recovery complications come into play.
Bailey’s friends and family got the word out on the need to support Bailey, and the whole community rallied.
Bailey’s cousin and close friend, Emily Forthofer, said “it immediately became a full blown, organic community effort to support Bailey; many people just started working together to get things organized.
“Prayer chains were formed; Mike and Lori Steel offered to host a benefit event on their farm; community businesses and individuals donated raffle prizes, baked goods, collected donations and volunteered to work the event. It was a true team effort.”
The benefit event was held on Sunday afternoon under beautiful sunny skies; over 250 people enjoyed great food, conversation, musing the many great “silent auction” items, skeet shooting, tomato tossing, corn hole and other events.
Auctioneer, Matt Fowler, got the whole crowd going on a successful bake sale with many items going for over $100 and the top item being sold for $500 on a phone-in bid from Florida.
The “silent auction” featured a treasure trove of valuable items including jewelry, art, blankets, sporting gear, firepits, and firearms. It was a successful event, and everyone went home knowing they had supported a great cause.
Bailey was speechless at the end of the four-hour event, so she asked her friend, Leah Miller, to read her remarks that thanked everyone for their love and support. Bailey’s remarks are posted on her Facebook page.
“We are not finished with our support of Bailey,” Emily Forthofer said.
If anyone wants to know how they can get behind this effort they can email at Emily.yarman23@gmail.com.
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