CRESTVIEW — Two Crestview families who organized benefit fish fries to provide financial assistance for ailing family members have expressed gratitude for the community’s support.
A lunch last Saturday at Old Spanish Trail Park raised $941 for Bruce Akers, 49, who is recovering from bladder cancer. He will receive chemotherapy treatments following his bladder’s removal.
Bruce's eldest daughter, Rachel, said her father was "humbled" and "appreciative" to everyone who participated and donated to the cause despite rain.
Collected funds will go toward medical expenses and other financial obligations, she said.
The family will have a car wash and auction benefiting Bruce, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24 at Ace Hardware in Crestview.
Michael Ayers’ family members had an Aug. 10 fish fry that reportedly raised around $700.
The 29-year-old, who is battling leukemia, expressed gratitude for the community’s support.
"I would like to thank everybody that came out and contributed," he said. "I wish I could have been there."
Ayers was allowed to return home for one week after receiving six weeks of chemotherapy treatments at Baptist Health Care.
See a link to updates on Ayers’ progress at http://on.fb.me/1d5yt8h.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Weekend benefits raise funds for Crestview residents