Through a recent bottle drive, local residents showed up to support a family in need whose five month old baby, Payton Caron, is a patient at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa.
Payton was born on Aug. 18, 2017 at Timmins and District Hospital and was immediately flown to CHEO to treat a double aortic arch, a congenital heart defect that left her unable to breath properly on her own.
Her parents, Alan Caron and Taylor Gervais, suddenly found themselves unprepared for the additional financial responsibilities of travel, lodging, lost work time, and medical equipment. They also had to spend time away from their two-year-old Amélie while they were with Payton in Ottawa.
As previously reported by TimminsToday, their friends back home, Michel Lavigne and Sara Lamothe, organized a bottle drive to raise money to support Payton’s family. The bottle drive ran for several weeks beginning just after the holidays and running through to Jan. 7, 2018.
As a result of the publicity they received, Lavigne and Lamothe were inundated with donations. They brought their first truckload to trade in on Jan. 8.
Between jobs and family needs, they had to gradually trade in truckloads over the course of the two weeks that followed.
“It’s for a great family, so every bit of the work is worth it,” says Lamothe.
Several days after the campaign was supposed to be over, community members were still reaching out to find out how they could contribute. Lavigne and Lamothe had to start declining donations of cans and bottles.
One woman who was told it was too late to donate her cans and bottles, traded them in herself and donated cash instead. Lamothe didn’t get her name.
As of Jan. 10, the campaign was still going, unofficially at least.
“People were still sending me cash donations,” says Lamothe. “It was pretty awesome.”
Lamothe and Lavigne decided to send part of the proceeds to Caron and Gervais in advance, sending the $1,500 it was estimated that a CPAP machine would cost.
“They needed some money to finish buying the medical supplies so they can learn to use everything before coming home,” says Lamothe.
Caron and Gervais were very grateful upon receiving the $1,500.
“We were very surprised how much was raised by our community coming together, overwhelmed and appreciative for everyone who has helped,” says Gervais.
Lavigne and Lamothe decided to keep the fact that more money was on the way, a secret from Payton’s parents, so they would be surprised.
“Little do they know that it was only a portion of the money and that we still have much more to give them,” says Lamothe.
When the last of the bottles and cans were traded in over the weekend, the total amount collected came to $2,514. This includes the $250 pledged by Eastview RV, the $370 donated by the Roland Michener graduating class, and the $1,500 already sent to Caron and Gervais.
Payton’s family would be receiving an additional $1,014 they weren’t expecting.
Taylor and Alan Caron were told about the additional funds on the morning of Jan. 23.
“It brought me to tears,” says Gervais. “The extra money will help with future trips for follow ups, groceries for when we get home, and future supplies.”
Payton, now five months old, is progressing, her parents say. She can breathe without the help of a CPAP machine much of the time, though she’s not out of the woods yet.
“The doctors are very happy with the progress,” says Gervais. “It’s definitely hard work and she has her bad days, but we wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Gervais says being surrounded by family and a community who cares gives her hope for Payton’s future.
“It’s still a long road ahead, but with the love and support we have, we will get there.”
Caron and Gervais anticipate bringing Payton home on Jan. 31.