GLADEWATER (KYTX) -- A 9-year-old Gladewater girl is spending her summer painting and selling her work to help pay for her little cousin's cancer treatments. CBS 19's Abby Broyles spoke with the girl's family today and joins us now from our Longview newsroom.
9-year old Abby Grace Townsend wanted to do something to help her 7-year old cousin Castalia, who lives in Longview. Castalia is battling Leukemia, and her family doesn't have insurance. Abby and her family have been selling her paintings on Facebook. Since last month, they've already raised more than $7,000.
9-year old Abby Grace thinks of her cousin, Castalia, every time she signs a painting she's just finished.
"It makes me think of the happy times we had," Abby said.
Castalia is undergoing cancer treatments in Dallas. She was diagnosed with leukemia last year. Then about a month ago, Abby picked up a paint brush and started "Castalia's Cause" to help pay for Castalia's medical bills.
"We went to the store, and I gave her 50 dollars and she got her startup supplies," Abby's mom, Charity Robinson says, "Her goal was to make $1,000 for her cousin... she made $1,000 in 3 days."
Abby's mom, Charity, is helping sell the paintings on Facebook through an online bid. Abby can't believe how much support she's gotten from people wanting to help and buy her work - most of them people she doesn't even know.
"I didn't think that paintings would go up to 500, 600 dollars," Abby said.
"I hope we raise awareness to the fact that no matter what your age is, that you can make the world a better place, you can figure out something to do to make things better for someone," Robinson said.
Abby's hoping to make things a little easier for Castalia's family as he she prays for her cousin's recovery.
Abby's goal is much bigger now - she hopes $10,000 by the end of the summer. Castalia is hoping to get to go back to school this year - she'll start 2nd grade this fall. @
All of Abby Grace's paintings are on a Facebook page called "Castalia's Cause." Go to www.facebook.com/castaliascause or email castaliascause@gmail.com. @
