The kindness of strangers means much to families

A summer fund-raiser was a much-needed act of goodwill for Shyloh Cochran and her family.

Since October, Cochran, 24, of Whitefish has been at battle with a Grade 4 brain tumor. Before her symptoms became noticeable, she'd been attending the Bethel School of Ministry in Redding, Calif., and coming home during summers. After her diagnosis, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor, and in March began radiation and two types of chemotherapy. A second tumor developed, however, during her radiation treatment.

Family and neighbors put together a silent auction and benefit in June at the Whitefish Moose Lodge to help with the family's skyrocketing medical bills. Cochran and her mother, Karla McKellar, wrote the Inter Lake to thank everyone who attended and all the businesses that donated to the event. "We were so amazed by all the public support," they wrote. McKellar said that once the fund-raiser was announced many businesses came forward on their own to donate.

More than 200 people turned out, and $9,000 was raised.

Cochran is undergoing gene therapy. As of the beginning of August, the tumor had decreased in size by 40 percent. She must continue the treatment for a year and a half, and though it makes her tired, she is handling it very well, according to her mother.

"We also want to thank all the individuals who felt it in their hearts to donate finances directly into the medical expense fund," they wrote. "Your generosity has been an amazing blessing."

That fund is still open, and donations will be accepted at any Whitefish Credit Union office.

A long-anticipated family reunion could have had a tragic ending were it not for the quick response of emergency rescue personnel. More than 40 Gignac family members had arrived from near and far for the weeklong occasion last month.

One minute Margie A. Gignac's adult daughter, Kathy, was standing on the front porch visiting with family, and the next she'd collapsed. A bee had stung her on her hand as she was swatting it away. Though she'd been stung before, she'd never had a reaction like that, Gignac said. Her daughter went into immediate anaphylactic shock, a severe life-threatening allergic reaction.

Gignac's other daughter, a registered nurse, began treating her while 911 was called.

First to arrive was the West Valley Fire Department, and on its heels was the ambulance and the ALERT helicopter, while Kathy's blood pressure plunged and she faded in and out of consciousness. ALERT, which had landed in a nearby field, airlifted her to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

"The response by everyone was just marvelous," said Gignac. "More than a dozen people helped in one capacity or another. They all did terrific work!"

Just in case, Kathy now carries an EpiPen, which contains a self-administered dose of epinephrine, a fast-acting allergy arrestor.

As for her mother, Gignac is just greatly appreciative that her other daughter knew what to do until help arrived, and for all the emergency responders who came on the scene.

"My family and I appreciate your professionalism, your dedication and your caring attitude. You have my gratitude and thanks."