09/04/2026
This is a long and over due message for my dedicated patrons, friends, and family as well as the kind hearted local vendors.
The Fight For Alyssa Fundraiser most definitely did not go as we had hoped. Every helpful hand, every late night of volunteer work, everyday visiting and asking vendors for donations, every musician who dedicated their talent for free, every Smeads Pub staff member who dedicated hard work, the cash donations from several customers and the excitement and sheer gratitude from Alyssa, was all shattered by one individual.
This individual who has never attended a chemo appt with Alyssa, never a doctor appt with Alyssa, never helping with the kids while Alyssa battled the severe and painful after math of chemo, and never at the double mastectomy surgery or any other appts!
This family member wrote and sent out a letter two days prior to the event stating false information that Alyssa is no longer sick and has no more chemo (she had it the day before the fundraiser), and she is just lazy and refusing to work. All statements directly from this said persons letter.
All of this is not true. I have spent time with her after a few of her chemo appts, I’ve seen the scars from her double mastectomy and I have been privy too many of her medical records (as of recent), due to these vicious and outlandish allocations or rather lies from this one person.
It just makes me utterly sick to my stomach and breaks my heart to think there is such evil and cruel intentions within one’s own family. I’ve been truly speechless and unsure how to proceed, but after
speaking with Alyssa, it has been decided to not move forward with the auction items and we are looking to give them back to the vendors and close this chapter at this time.
This is the most honorable and trustworthy way for us to proceed and to allow Alyssa to heal from such a painful and undeserved situation.
The event was not a total loss, as we did have great music, food specials, and some amazing customers who really made her night!
She was able to have a moment of being cherished and special as she has long deserved to be, and she received many donations that night thanks to so many awesome patrons and friends, and another cancer foundation contribution.
Thank you for your understanding while I attempt to return all these donations and please reach out to me if I have not yet contacted you.
Again, thank you to ALL who worked hard and who believed in our Fundraising efforts to make this a special day for a very special young lady. All was not lost 🥰
