By Gary Lloyd
CLAY — A web page has been established to help raise money for the funeral expenses of a 17-year-old former Clay-Chalkville High School student who recently died of cancer.
Erika Gunn recently died of cancer, and a web page at http://www.gofundme.com/avgi64 has been established for fundraising efforts.
The goal is to raise ,000. As of Wednesday night, the total money raised was ,590. The page was created by former Clay-Chalkville Middle School Principal Mo Williams.
“She was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor that had spread in her brain and spine,” Williams wrote on the web page. “The medical care from Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, AL was incredible but unfortunately, she did not make it and passed away on June 28, 2014.”
Gunn was the oldest of eight siblings.
“Over the past year, she has battled not only her cancer but also had to deal with the break-up of her entire family,” Williams wrote. “All her siblings were placed with family members or friends and while she was sick and fighting for her life she could not be with her brother and sisters. I would like to honor Erika by raising money for her funeral expenses: the plot, casket, tombstone, purple dress, purple flowers, etc. Any money remaining will be donated to the research that her doctor is conducting to battle brain tumors in children.”
Clay-Chalkville High School Principal Michael Lee said the community’s thoughts and prayers are with Gunn and her family.
“She had a sweet spirit, was very outgoing, had a close relationship with several of her peers and her teachers, and I know she’ll be missed by a lot of people at Clay-Chalkville High School,” Lee said.
For more information or to donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/avgi64.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.