Goreville teen's fight draws support from scross the region
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Communities and schools across the area are rallying behind a 16-year-old Goreville high School sophomore diagnosed last week with a brain tumor.
Facebook profiles from southern Illinois users began sporting a yellow badge reading "Pray for Reice Mae" last week, when Reice Mae Albright was first diagnosed with a brain tumor and sent immediately to St. Louis Children's Hospital.
According to her father, Brian, Reice's team of 45 doctors need to conduct more tests before attempting a biopsy that will determine a course of treatment for the tumor.
"Unfortunately," wrote Brian in a Facebook update, "this tumor cannot be removed because of its location."
He said the location is also complicating the biopsy.
People across southern Illinois have responded to the family's request for prayers and positive messages for the teen who works at the Lake of Egypt Triple E is active in her school's FFA and Bass Fishing team.
Students from Goreville gathered in the school gym earlier this week, dressed in the school colors of black and gold, recording a message to their classmate.
Students in nearby Vienna and Anna-Jonesboro also offered similar support.
Multiple fundraisers are popping up to support Reice and her family.
Anna-Jonesboro student athlete Marlee Smith, who also battled cancer, will be collecting for the Albright family at her school today.
Emma McLain of Goreville is heading up a group selling bracelets. According to her Facebook post, the group has 1,000 they plan to sell for $2 each.
There will also be a pasta dinner at Goreville High School on Mar. 26 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
An account for donations has also been set up at Southern Trust Bank. Donations can be made at any of the bank's three locations.
The response of those wanting to the help is not a surprise to former Goreville coach Michele Rushing.
"She's a great kid and they're just a wonderful family," said Rushing.
She said on multiple occasions Brian would see her working on the softball field and would just stop and help, sometimes working several hours to ready it for play.
"He never asked for anything in return," she said. "He just said, 'well, it looks like you could use a hand.'"
In a post over the weekend, Brian wrote that Reice "is the toughest kid I've ever met," and likened her fight to the Biblical story of David and Goliath.
He asked for continued messages of support for Reice.
"You've all made our girl feel loved."