news-record.com

Katy Borum, 16, battled three tumors in her abdomen during the past six months.

Now, she must take medication for the rest of her life to keep the tumors from returning.

Her school and church are rallying around her family with a Karing for Katy benefit dinner April 14 to help with medical bills.

“After three surgeries within six months, numerous medications and ER visits and hospitalizations, we were sinking financially,” said Mary Borum, Katy’s mother.

Katy’s father has been working shorter hours, and both parents have health problems. “We have a son in college at Virginia Tech, ... and with medical bills and out-of-state tuition on a decreased budget, life was becoming difficult, ” Mary Borum said.

Deep River Friends and the Southwest Schools Community are hosting the benefit, which is catered by Carrabba’s Italian Grille at Southwest High.

Tickets are $12. The meal will include chicken marsala with mushrooms, penne pasta in a red sauce, Caesar salad, Carter Brother’s iced tea and Starbucks coffee.

Desserts are an additional $1. Deep River Friends, will prepare homemade desserts.

There will also be a silent auction for furniture, gift cards to local businesses and gift baskets prepared by Southwest High clubs.

“Katy is a wonderful 10th-grade honors student who is an inspiration to her teachers, peers and friends,” teacher Beth Gobble said. “Her positive attitude and outgoing personality are amazing!”

Borum said the family feels blessed to have their family, church and community reach out and help them.

“I know there are many people in this world hurting physically, financially and in other ways more so than we are. I hope at some point in my life I am able to care for them in the way these loving people are caring for us now.”

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 373-7109 or elizabeth. seagraves@news-record.com