Helping those in need

NORWALK — Almost 350 women enjoyed a Sunday afternoon of tea and fashion while raising about $15,000 for The Piggyback Foundation (PBF) and learning about the non-profit's mission at the Village Barn in Monroeville. "I am thankful for Mousie Mae's Vintage Boutique, When Pigs Fly By the Lake and their models," said Lisa Hiler, executive director of the foundation. "Marty Long and her group of volunteers from When Pigs Fly did a great job hosting this lovely event. "I am grateful for everyone who came out to the event to support The Piggyback Foundation as we celebrate our 15th anniversary," Hiler said. "We've served more than 600 families, each with a beautiful story to tell." PBF's mission is to help families dealing with a life-threatening illness maintain a sense of normalcy for the children and family. Lisa Bogan told the crowd how PBF helped her family through her son Spencer Rumer's 9-year battle with cancer. "I first met Lisa Hiler in 2010, the summer that would change my life forever," Bogan said. Spencer was an 8-year-old boy who loved video games and playing little league baseball. When a bump on his head turned out to be a rare cancer, the family began a long journey from Ohio to St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. to Baylor University in Waco, Texas to the Cleveland Clinic While her two older children stayed in Ohio, Bogan and Spencer had to spend four months at St. Jude's for surgery to remove a section of his scalp and receive 30 doses of radiation to his head. After a stay at home, the family learned Spencer's cancer had spread to a lung so Bogan and her son spent another few months at St. Jude's. Bogan said PBF was a great help to her older children while she was helping Spencer deal with treatment for his illness. "I wasn't even home when my oldest turned 18," she said. "Piggyback helped him celebrate with Indians tickets. "Both were involved in school activities that I just didn't have the extra money for," she said. "When I said no, Piggyback said let us help you." The foundation helped pay for class trips, a class ring and letter jacket, back-to-school shopping and various other things through the years of Spencer's illness. "For Spencer's next hospital journey, Piggyback presented him with his own iPad. The distraction helped him deal with his anxiety toward another surgery," Bogan said. Spencer endured 12 surgical procedures from 2010 to 2015, five of which were lung resections. "In high school, Spencer became quite the artist," she said. "He was awarded with honors as he competed in regional and national art shows." PBF paid for all of Spencer's works to be framed for a special show of his artwork in a Sandusky gallery. When 17-year-old Spencer lost his final battle with cancer in 2019, he was wrapped in a blanket made by a Piggyback volunteer. "He was wrapped in a warm, cozy blanket made with love," Bogan said. "Piggyback shared our sorrows." Marci Snyder, of Mousie Mae's Vintage Boutique, had models from ages 8 to 88 showing off her vintage clothing from 1900 to the 1980's. Elizabeth Greenawalt, who manages When Pigs Fly By the Lake in Huron, also had models to display clothing sold at that store. Sponsors for the event were American Legion Post 547 Monroeville, Joe Caizzo, Christian Roberts Salon and Day Spa, Dilger Insurance Agency/Tonya Maxwell, Firelands Federal Credit Union, Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Stieber Brothers, Inc., Tek Seal and Oglesby Construction. Yvonne Gay, of Yesterday's Party, and Lynn Marie's Coffee Shop helped with the event. Many businesses and individuals donated baskets and items for two auctions to raise funds for PBF.