Exotic pet store hosting Halloween event in support of Violet Liske, an eight-year-old battling leukemia
Usually for children, Halloween season means a complete focus on their costume, spending time with their friends and getting as much candy to fit in their pouch as possible. Usually. For eight-year-old Violet Liske, it will mark almost six months since her leukemia diagnosis in June and the beginning of a more intense chemotherapy treatment.
After hearing of Violet’s situation, Terry Armstrong, owner of Chaotic Xotics, a local specialty reptile store, began figuring out a way to help.
With its second annual Halloween event planned for Oct. 31, Armstrong decided to throw the event for her in an attempt to lighten the financial load, even if just slightly.
“As a parent, I could relate to the Liske family on that front and we just wanted to help any way we could with their current situation,” he said.
The event runs from 3-6 p.m. and will have free craft events as well as glitter tattoos which will be sold, with proceeds going to the Liske family. Armstrong said people are free to donate to the family at any point in the night as well.
Violet’s father Daniel Liske said he is thankful for Armstrong’s support and that it could not have come at a better time.
“When something like this hits you out of the blue, it’s really hard to be prepared for it,” said Liske. “With the amount of day-trips we’re making to Calgary for Violet’s treatments and amount of work I have to take off, the bills really add up.”
Liske said the family has spent $500 on gauze alone in October and with approximately a year-and-a-half left of treatments, the bills are not going to stop.
“Violet’s treatment is very intense,” he said. “She has had multiple blood transfusions as well as a load of chemotherapy, and it’s going to continue, so getting the support from a good friend in Terry is pretty special.”