DECATUR — Saturday’s chili supper and benefit auction for Royce Johnson raised $21,450 - more than twice the goal set by organizers - to help pay for medical expenses related to his cancer treatment.
In an outpouring of support, the Northside Elementary School cafeteria was filled from wall to wall with Johnson’s friends and family members. More than 230 meal tickets were sold - representing just a part of the people in attendance-according to organizer Kim Wilkins.
“It was better than we ever anticipated ... I don’t think you could have asked for a better turn out. I mean it was packed,” she said.
Generous donations made the silent and live auctions a huge success, and most items sold formuch more than they were worth, Wilkins said. Many of those in attendance who didn’t buy items in the auction, gave donations of cash or checks, she said.
Country singer Kyla Horton, a close friend of Royce and his wife Jean Johnson, made a surprise appearance during the benefit and sang Royce’s favorite song, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” and several other numbers.
“Words cannot adequately express how wonderful it was to have your love and support shown to us so clearly Saturday night at the Northside Elementary School. We have always known we had a lot of friends in our little town, but it was truly wonderful to be able to hug and thank so many of you for your prayers and support during Royce’s bout with colon cancer of the liver,” Royce and Jean Johnson wrote in an e-mail.
Johnson was diagnosed with colon cancer of the liver and has been undergoing a series of chemotherapy treatments. Johnson explained that doctors originally found cancer in his colon but discovered that it had spread to his liver. Doctors were able to remove the tumors in his colon, but were unable to operate on his liver.
Even though Johnson has been able to continue working at Simmons Foods and has health insurance, medical bills add up quickly, especially considering the enormous expense of cancer treatments.
“We may not have the best prognosis but we know we have friends who will be there to see us through whatever God has in store for us, and that means so very, very much to our entire family. Please keep the prayers going as we know that does more than medicine ever could,” The Johnsons wrote.
News, Pages 1 on 03/17/2010