Several local organizations are raising money for the family of an ill 7-year-old Columbus resident being treated at’ Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis.
Money is going to help Joshua and Jennifer Turner with general expenses such as rent, utilities and groceries, said Thom Jester, who is helping with the fundraisers. The Turners’ son, Kingston, was diagnosed with leukemia 18 months ago and successfully treated at Riley and is cancer-free, according to the father.
But now the child is back at Riley for a range of complications, including graft-versus-host disease, in which transplanted tissues and cells regard other cells as foreign.
Although medical bills are covered, the family has four other children ranging in age from 4 to 14. That has kept Joshua Turner from holding a substantial full-time job as he helps with child care while his wife often is at Riley with their sick son.
The dad, a military veteran who served in Afghanistan, has worked a range of part-time remodeling jobs to make ends meet.
Organizations working to assist the family include Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1987, American Legion Post No. 24 and Eagles Lodge No. 741
Donations can be sent to the VFW at P.O. Box 2306, Columbus IN 47202.
Information: 812-546-5536
