Pancakes with Santa to raise funds for child with acute leukemia
By Sarah Frances Watkins


Posted on December 17, 2018 9:54 AM



 

Tis the Season to give and for a child who has been a warrior all year long, Smedevents & The Barn on Oakville Lane want to provide her with the most magical Christmas yet.

All proceeds of this event will benefit Naiya Garner, a child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). The Barn at Oakville Lane and The Family of Nayia Garner are pleased to present you with Pancakes with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 22, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Barn on Oakville Lane, which is located 92380 Oakville Lane, Russellville.

Each ticket will include: Pancakes and other breakfast assortments as well as drinks. Selfie Station with Santa Silent. Auction with baked goods for the upcoming holiday, and Arts & Craft Station for kids.

A little bit about Nayia: Naiya Garner is the granddaughter of Tony Chick and the daughter of Ashley Garner (Chick). She has spent all of her life as a resident of Logan County. Naiya was diagnosed with ALL almost a year ago. She has undergone chemo all year long and will continue chemo for three more years.

 Despite the odds, Naiya is full of sass and spunk. Naiya never fails to see other babies at chemo and say, "Mama. they are sooooooo cute," and she is a favorite amongst her nurses. Naiya will be 4 in January, going on 14. She loves Minnie Mouse, nail polish, and playing dress up. She is 100 percent girly girl.

When you see an adult going through chemo, you understand the sacrifices and struggles they have with the diagnosis. Naiya knows no other life at this point. She knows the ins and outs of Vanderbilt hospital like most of the staff that work there. Instead of meeting her friends on a playground at preschool, she meets them at the clinic when she undergoes treatment. She has a hard time understanding why she can't go shopping with her mom or why she has to wear a mask when no one else is.

When a child is battling cancer, the family battles with them. Until recently, Mama Ashley got up before the crack of dawn to drive Naiya to chemo and spend an entire day with her in Nashville.

Ashley has also had to sacrifice more than most, but you will never hear her asking for help. She is positive on days where no one would fault her for crying all day. When most of us want to complain about a bad day, Ashley does not have that luxury.

This event is being organized by her family, because even though Ashley would still tell you she is the luckiest mom to ever live...we all want to put a little more luck her way.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/smedevents/212059/ Some $5 tickets may be available at the door.

Thank you for purchasing a ticket and supporting members of your community during this long journey of healing and hope for Nayia Garner.


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