Bella Webster (center), who has been battling Leukemia since she was 20 months old, chooses winners in a drawing held at My Gym in the Village at Castle Pines shopping center. The drawing was part of a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital, which was held in Bella’s honor. Bella’s four-year-old brother Drew (left), helped draw winners with the assistance of their mom, Anne (far left), and Heidi Roberson (right) who owns My Gym.

by Lisa Crockett

A young Castle Pines North (CPN) resident was the inspiration for several local businesses in the Village at Castle Pines shopping center to find a way to raise money for a worthy cause. Nearly $3,400 was raised for Children’s Hospital at a day-long fundraiser in the shopping center in September.

Bella Webster was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was just 20 months old and then began a harrowing treatment regimen to fight the disease.

“Bella has been coming to My Gym since we opened in 2008,” said Heidi Roberson, owner of the fitness and activity center for young children. “We have watched Bella and her family through this whole process and our hearts just went out to them.”

During Bella’s treatment, her weakened immune system made it dangerous for Bella to be in close contact with other children, so My Gym held a few private sessions just for Bella to allow her to get out and play in spite of her condition. Inspired by Bella and her fighting spirit, Roberson proposed the idea of a fundraiser to Bella’s parents, Anne and Justin.

After discussing a few different worthy causes, it was decided that Children’s Hospital would be the beneficiary of the fundraiser, which would feature open play at the gym and hourly visits from Sesame Street’s Elmo.

“We can’t say enough good things about the doctors, the caring staff and overall operations at Children’s,” said Anne. “We’re looking forward to the benefit as a way to raise awareness and support for their work.”

Once the basic plans for the event were in place, Roberson began soliciting support from other businesses and individuals in the community. The Village’s “Art Skool” provided face painting and the “Music Skool” provided a station for kids to play the game “Rock Band.” Jimmy’s photography was on hand with temporary tattoos and Miyo sold a hot dog lunch to raise funds.

In exchange for donations to the fundraiser, attendees were entered into a drawing for prizes which included Avalanche Tickets, swimming lessons at Safe Splash Swim School, personal training sessions, snow board lessons at Breckenridge, Spa services at Aspen Falls Day spa and nail services at RM Nails. Gift certificates were donated by Chick Fil-A, Tony’s, Home Depot, King Soopers and Chili’s. Kohl’s made a cash donation to the fundraiser and sent five employees to help run the event.

“We think this was a fun, family day for the community,” said Roberson. “We just wanted to do something for Bella and for the community.”

Bella’s disease is now in remission, but she still faces a long road of maintenance chemotherapy. Her treatments are scheduled to end some time in 2011.

“Sadly, thousands of kids around the country every year don’t make it,” said Anne. “Parents who are in this fight need strong support networks; we’re doing the benefit as a way to help strengthen that network for other families who are dealing with it now and in the years to come.”

Special thanks to all who participated in the event and to the oncology staff at The Children’s Hospital in Denver for all their care and compassion.

To learn more about My Gym’s programing or this event, visit www.my-gym.com.

A fighter and a survivor, two-and-a-half-year-old Bella Webster smiles and inspires while at a recent visit to Children’s Hospital.