TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Smith County firefighters are standing together to support a fellow firefighter’s family by hosting a softball event to raise money for medical expenses.
If there’s one thing Michael and Kayla McNabb have in common, it’s the love of they share for their 6-year-old daughter Paisley. After their little girl started having headaches, their world turned upside down. What seemed like a normal sickness turned into a parent’s greatest fear.
“One night we were up all night she was crying throwing up,” said Paisley’s father Michael McNabb. “Pilocytic astrocytoma which is a low-grade glioma.”
Now the Smith County Professional Firefighter’s Association Local 5300 are doing what they do best, showing up when needed for one of their own.
“They talk about the brotherhood, and they are just it’s amazing how they’ve supported us,” said Kayla Mcnabb, Paisley’s mother. “It’s overwhelming we can’t express how thankful we are for this.”
A fellow firefighter wanted to support the family during this difficult time. So he pitched the idea of a softball fundraiser to Troy Pritchard.
“Recognizing we are a brotherhood, we are a family, he wanted to get out in front of this fast and help the family with whatever need we could,” said Local 5300 representative Troy Pritchard. “Rain or shine there ain’t going to be to much that keeps us out of here. There’ll be food, venders, refreshments.”
Seven different fire stations from around East Texas decided to join in and help on Aug. 24.
“Dallas to Canton, south Van Zandt, Lindale,” said Pritchard. “We are very excited about all the participation that were getting.”
For the McNabb family this lets them know they are not facing this alone, and that this brotherhood shows its support by locking arms together.
The fundraiser will be at Lindsey Park on Aug. 24, tickets are $5 at the door and raffle tickets and items are on the Smith County Professional Firefighter Association Facebook page.
For those unable to make it to the event you can donate by emailing 5300benefit@gmail.com.
