Hoskins’ store and others are having special offers and taking collections, most through Saturday, to help the family’s medical bills. At Petals & Wicks, Naomi created her favorite candle — a jar that says “Too Legit to Quit,” and a combination of the Dark Chocolate, Birthday Cake and Whipped Cream scents. Those candles will sell for $20, with $10 going to the family, through Sunday.
Tiffany Grubb of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce recently sent an email to business owners in the city, asking for their help.
“I knew that I had to be involved with this, because I’m a cancer survivor myself, and I know the pains of that, physically and mentally,” Hoskins said. “The struggles with that, I cannot imagine being this young girl that’s battling brain cancer.
“She’s just a spitfire and full of energy, and if there’s anyone who’s going to beat it, it’s going to be her, because she’s got the mindset that she’s going to kick cancer’s butt. We were quite humbled and privileged to spend time with her in making this candle.”
Her fight has brought out another side of her.
“When I say her name I smile,” says Naomi’s principal, Aaron Hopkins. “The funny thing is, prior to being diagnosed to cancer, I would say she was a pretty quiet kid. But since this diagnosis has come on, her little personality has truly come out. She’s funky, she’s ready to fight this, she’s ready to move forward.”
She experienced headaches and “these spells of not being herself,” so she visited doctors, Hopkins said. The doctors tried several things.
“Then she came to school in September, and she was in class and she couldn’t keep her head up, couldn’t hold a pencil, didn’t know her name, and so her school nurse said, ‘You really want to get an answer to what’s going on,’” Hopkins said.
A mass was found on her brain.
“When we found out what the diagnosis was, everyone wanted to do something for Naomi,” Hopkins said. “We brainstormed a bunch of ideas.”
Among other things, Hamilton’s schools had a “Go Blue for Naomi” campaign. Several restaurants on Tuesday donated part of their proceeds to the family.
Hopkins met with Grubb at the chamber of commerce, who contacted businesses to participate in a fundraiser.
“I was almost brought to tears, to be honest with you, just by how willing everybody was to pitch in and help,” Hopkins said. “I couldn’t have asked for better. Everybody did their part, and it’s just been a neat experience to be part of.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up called Help Naomi Fight Brain Cancer. As of Tuesday evening, it raised more than $8,700 toward a $50,000 goal.
Among businesses participating through Saturday are Monkey on Main (donating half the proceeds from Go Blue for Naomi and Hamilton themed water bottles); A&A Pretty Pets (donating all tips received Saturday, and selling dog scarves and bandanas for $2); The Main Look Salon (matching donations in its donation box); Fleurish Home (all donors get a $5 gift card); Rustic Home (giving 10 percent of salls this week); and ReZen (giving 15 percent of the week’s sales). The Flute Shop and BeYOUtiful Salon also are participating with collection boxes.
Hopkins, who now is 43, himself was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 15 while growing up on Cincinnati’s West Side. He hopes she will have the same positive outcome he did.
“The thing that made a difference for me in my own journey through this was knowing that people were out there supporting, and pulling for me,” Hopkins said. “So I wanted Naomi to feel that. I wanted her to understand that the entire city is here behind you, and we’re all here to fight with you.”
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