By christy hendricks
Leader staff writer
Matthew Shillingsburg, 6, of Palm Bay, Fla., was diagnosed with B cell leukemia on Thanksgiving this year. Schillingsburg, a cousin of Brandy Huffman, owner of the Littlest Cake Shop, will spend the next three-and-a-half years undergoing daily chemotherapy treatments.
“It’s already in 40 percent of his body,” Huffman said of her young cousin. “He is their miracle child. She wasn’t supposed to be able to have kids.”
Shillingsburg and his family will have to travel more than 80 miles from their Palm Bay home to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando monthly. To help the family with travel and medical costs, The Littlest Cake Shop will hold a silent auction fundraiser set to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday and run through 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.
The Schillingsburgs have applied for a research study where experimental treatments will be used, according to Huffman. “You have to be accepted for the program,” she said. “It’s based out of Dallas.”
“I’ve been amazed by how much people are willing to help a child who doesn’t live here,” said Huffman.
“We know it’s close to Christmas and it’s hard for everyone. We’re trying to make it where people can come in and bid at a lower cost and still be able to give the items as gifts.”
Many items have already been donated for the fundraiser, including items received on Thursday from The Cheesecake Factory, Body Designz, Buck’s Mobile Service, and a company wishing to remain anonymous donated auto parts.
Other items donated in-clude a petty skirt and bow from Pink and Blue Children’s Consignment, two $10 gift cards from 3 Flamingos, deluxe backyard party pack with two inflatables from Space Walk of Cabot, a paint-your-own pottery piece from Sassy Classy, a one month tanning package from Hair Cuts & More, hand and foot treatment and nutrition consultation from Shalee’s Day Spa, two mini-photo sessions from Melissa Conn, Caesar Stone cutting board from Linco Countertops, a Coach purse and a blanket from Charlotte Cook, Scentsy Warmer “Zensy” and scent cubes from www.scentsy.com/maryeverts, $30 gift card from Nutrition World, one lane for six people and shoe rentals from AllFam Bowling, two orders of 50 wings from Hooters, a pink rubber watch from the Mobile Purse Lady, a beaded necklace from Deb’s Designs, glass candy earrings from Jenny’s Gems, glass Christmas-tree-beaded bracelet from Jenny’s Gems, a Zebra beaded pin and beaded snowman earrings and beaded butterfly earrings from Katy Welch, Fruits of the Spirit Swarovski pearls from Gale Cockrell, a silver and stone pendant from Dana Morrison and a gold and stone pendant from David Colclasure.
For more information, or to donate or bid on an item, stop by the Littlest Cake Shop, located at 1102 S. Pine St. Suite 9 in Cabot, call 501-843-8080 or visit www.littlestcakeshop.com.
