Fundraiser for 8-year-old with leukemia a major success

A community has rallied around an eightyearold boy who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, raising money to help with living and travel expenses for the family.

Callum Thomson is in Halifax receiving treatment and is expected to be there for thenext nine months. His motheris staying with him, while his fatherand younger brother and sister travel back and forth on weekends so the family can be together.

They're very grateful. Debbie Beck, family friend

On Sunday, the community of Belfast held a concert to raise money for the Thomson family.

Debbie Beck isa friend of the family who helped organizethe concert, which raised$27,000dollars.

"I'm sure they're not surprised by how the community has come together, but they are overwhelmed by the amount of donations that are coming in. But they're very grateful," she said.

Along with the money from the concert, another $19,000was raised in an online auction.

Beck says Thomson'sprognosis is goodand the family is feeling very positive.She says treatment will likely be tough for the eight-year-old, because he's usually anactive kid who loves to play sports and be outside.

Those who wish to donate can do sothrough the websitegocalgo.com.There is also ahockey game being held in Alberton Saturday night to raise money for both Thomsonand the Conor Shea Memorial Jersey Fund.