Love & Caring for One of Our Own
Take a look at this gorgeous girl. This is Campbell Hoyt, a beautiful, lively 3-year old.
Campbell Hoyt and her shining smile!
This past August, just as many of us were enjoying the last days of summer, Campbell fell ill. What started out with fever, vomiting and general malaise grew worrisome as it lingered for two weeks. After her parents, Robin and Greg, had made several visits to their pediatrician, concern grew and led to a late night visit in the ER at Morristown Memorial Hospital. On August 21st, around 4am, a CT scan determined that Campbell had a brain tumor.
Robin and Greg have family nearby, who stayed with and cared for their older girls, Caitlin and Caroline. Following a surgery to remove the tumor, they endured endless hours and days of waiting, worrying and caring for Campbell. Reading through their family blog, www.pray4cam.blogspot.com, you cannot help but feel the pain and worry they experienced as she bravely endured fever and vomiting, surgery and having to be “poked” with all kinds of needles.
What is really amazing, however, is that they did not get down, depressed or even frustrated when there were more questions than answers. Instead, their focus was one of gratitude for the love and support they received from family, friends and neighbors over these past four months. In late November, Campbell completed her radiation treatments at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She will have her first-post radiation MRI in the middle of January, followed by a visit with the oncologists in Boston.
Her prognosis is good, with an 80-85% chance that the tumor will not come back. Robin, reports, “In the short-term, she is exhausted and has lost a fairly significant amount of hair but, thankfully, these are not permanent. We hope that 2010 brings only good news for Campbell.” She adds, “We pray that the tumor stays away, the lingering effects of meningitis dissipate and that she is able to start school. We only want her to be a healthy, happy child!”
Robin and Campbell Hoyt
This is a picture I snapped of Robin and Campbell together at the Keller Williams “Champagne Luncheon” in early December at the Bernards Inn. At this special event, Heartworks and Keller Williams partnered to raise money for local families in need. With over 90 people gathered, Robin and Campbell attended this luncheon to acknowledge the generous support of all those that have rallied on their behalf.
KWCares chairperson, Margret “Peg” Carton, a Bernardsville resident, worked with a committee to plan the event and invited clients, friends and other agents to attend. A spokesperson for the Keller Williams office, Jane Ellis happily reported, “Our partnership with Heartworks was a win-win and raised over $7,000. We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Campbell’s story and to assist the Hoyt family. We continue to be with Campbell in spirit as she fights the brain cancer that is her formidable foe.”
The luncheon featured an impressive silent auction with items from local businesses and donors, and a delicious menu from the hosts at the Bernards Inn. It also included a delightfully entertaining floral demonstration from Cathy Miller of Hawthorne, NJ who regaled us with her experiences providing floral arrangements for the White House.
Floral Designer Cathy Miller & her special holiday arrangement
Silent Auction items on display
Megan McDowell, founder of Heartworks, spoke passionately about being present with our lives, the lives of our families and about being grateful for the good, the bad and the ugly.
Touching on her own experiences, Megan implored, “I encourage each of you to embrace the stories you read about in the paper or hear about in emails. Go to fundraisers and make meals. Why? Because it is a chance to walk with God, to connect with your soul.”
Among the many ways Heartworks has helped, members provided meals, notes of encouragement and of course prayers for Campbell. Most recently, when she was returning home from her radiation treatments in Boston, Megan had gathered members to make signs and balloons that would fill their front yard to welcome Campbell back home. Laughing about her own desire for it to be perfect, Megan was disappointed when the rain began to pour, thereby leaving the markers to run all over the posters.
“So, Campbell taught me about the pitfalls of perfection and why I need never worry about it when I am giving.” Megan smiles, “Because Campbell told her grandfather how ‘cool’ it was to see her yard covered with pictures of rainbows.”
Robin Hoyt feels overwhelmed and truly grateful for the support she and her family have received. ‘”The town literally came in to take care of our house, our older children, and our medical expenses through various fundraisers done with Heartworks, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), Keller Williams, EMS Angels MC, the Somerset Hills Bulldogs, Girl Scouts Service Unit 69 and the Bernardsville Fire Company. “
Tara Gilvar, community leader and B.I.G founder and CEO, inspired her 6th grade CCD class to host a fundraiser for the Hoyt Family as a community service project. Little did she know how it would grow! Working with the Griggstown Quail Farm out of Princeton, they began selling pies for Thanksgiving. With the aid of numerous volunteers, they received orders for over 975 pies and raised over $6,000. Griggstown not only sold the pies at cost but also provided the Hoyt Family with a full Thanksgiving dinner.
This is what I’m talking about and this is how an idea grows, love grows and a town cares for one of its own. I could not ask for a better place to live. Robin agrees, “Bernardsville is the BEST town! We have the most amazing, giving, kind residents! I am so proud to say that I am a resident of Bernardsville!”
Best wishes to you & your family this holiday season. I truly hope it will be marked with love, laughter and peace. Thank you all for visiting this blog and I look forward to many more remarkable, interesting, fun & worthwhile blog posts in 2010!
BvilleResident said,
December 21, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Any updates on the Claremont Tavern? It seems they are way behind schedule. Also, any word on the new latin grocer going in near the train tracks?
bernardsville said,
December 21, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I am in touch with the Claremont Tavern and have learned that there have been a few setbacks but are hoping for a mid-January opening. It’s possible that I’ll be getting a chance to take some new pics soon for an update.
I’ll get crackin’ on the scoop about that new Latin grocery store. That peaked my interest too. Thanks for commenting!