(WSIL) -- You can help support families in southern Illinois and western Kentucky, who have a child battling cancer.
Book for Hope is local organization that started after Gaylon Hayden beat breast cancer. During her journey, she learned about the struggles children with the disease go through including more aggressive treatments.
The organization first gives families gift cards to help with travel expenses since appointments are usually hours away and can require a hotel stay. Then each month parents get a bill paid for as many quit their jobs to provide around the clock care for their child.
Hayden says the group also acts as a shoulder to lean on. Moms call her late at night when the hospital starts to quiet down leaving them with just their thoughts.
"They don't have the doctors running up and down the halls and nurses like they do during the day time," she explains. "They'll sit beside the bed and tell me I'm watching so and so's chest to make sure it's moving up and down and I just listen."
Book for Hope also donates money to childhood cancer research as kids only receive 4% of federal funding for research. This compared to adults, who get 96%.
To help further their cause, Book for Hope is holding a new fundraiser called Dancing for Gold. It's a performances, food and special appearances from members of the group.
Hayden adds all all that the organization has done, and continue to do, is only possible with community support.
"It means the world," she remarks. "Book for Hope could not do what we do without good people giving to our organization."
Dancing for Gold is taking place at the McCracken County Convention Center on April 17th. News 3's Evie Allen will help M.C. the event.
Those interested in tickets can click .
