What is family? Most people would say that family is the people in your life whom are most dear to you. Webster's idea of a family is varied but eludes toward it being composed of individuals related by blood. The truth is, Webster is only half right. Scenario players are a family. We may not all be related by purely blood, but our bloods are not entirely dissimilar. And we do care quite dearly for one another, as the Wilkes family can and will attest to.

This past April, Kayleigh Wilkes, the seven-year-old daughter of Kevin and Linda Wilkes, was diagnosed with a pediatric cancer called a Wilm's Tumor. This particular form of cancer affects the kidneys of the adolescent who carries it. Typically, this type of cancer affects children aged two to ten years old. Kayleigh was fortunate enough to have caught her tumor in its early stage before it spread to both kidneys. The tumor was successfully removed the day following her diagnosis.

Now, Kayleigh endures weekly chemotherapy, administered via a small stainless steel tube routed directly to Kayleigh's heart. In addition to her weekly dose of chemo; Kayleigh also receives two additional doses every forth week. These "double-whammies" would be enough to make the strongest among us to break down in streams of tears, but Kayleigh bravely faces them knowing that she must make it through the worst of times before things will get better.

Aside from the nasty side effects of the chemo (red blood cell reduction, hair loss, and nausea, to name a few), it is also very expensive to treat cancer. The average costs per week for the Wilkes clan can cost as much as $300. On top of that, more than $600 every month is required for Kayleigh's medications. While most of the expenses are covered by health insurance (Blessed Be the United States), there is still a large chunk left to haunt even the wealthiest of families.

This is where the Wilkes' extended family has been especially generous. Diane and Patrick McKinnon of Mackz Xtreme Sports have made it a personal vendetta to help the Wilkes family in any way that they are empowered. At many of the MXS events this year, there has been a separate auction of goods, donated by players and event sponsors, to raise money for the Kayleigh Wilkes Fund. It is also commonplace for commanders and high profile players to auction off their own hair at the awards ceremonies. Highest bidder gets the honour of shaving the candidate's head, proceeds going to none other than Kayleigh herself. At one of these hair auctions, players managed to raise more than $1500 for Kayleigh. How awesome is that! Even field owners are taking part in this extracurricular activity. Joe Staebeck, owner of Sherwood Forest in LaPorte, Indiana, let his lovely locks go for a sum of $500. The following weekend, at Twin Towers, held at EMR Paintball Park, the players raised an additional $10,000; leaving Kevin speechless. "I'm known as the 'big-mouth' and at that time, I had nothing to say." Kevin replied when asked for his reaction to the generosity of his fellow scenario gamers.

Loyalty to this family doesn't just stop at MXS patrons. Joint Fury, Kevin's team, raised more than $2100 for Kayleigh. The Texas Rangers are also major contributors with proceeds from a bake sale they held back home in the Lone Star State.

Thanks to the paintball community; the burden cast upon the Wilkes family has been distributed amongst all who can help carry it in our community.

Kayleigh, her parents, and family are greatly thankful to all who have come to their aid. Kayleigh's road is long and bumpy, but with the continued help of all paintballers nationwide, that road gets smoother every day.

Kayleigh just recently started piano lessons and hopes to return to her brownie troop and starting gymnastics upon her recovery. Her relationship with her father has grown much stronger, as well as with her mother.

Together, we make up possibly the largest, most diverse family in the world. While we may be flinging paint on the field, once the bird banger booms, we are as merry as two hobbits enjoying a nice ale. We stick together through the thick and thin. We catch each other when we stumble or fall. We laugh together and we cry together. WE ARE FAMILY!

Author's Note: Any and all donations are very much appreciated. It is a goal of mine to help raise $300,000 over the course of this paintball season.

Please make checks payable to Kayleigh Wilkes

Send to: Kayleigh Wilkes
125 Blough Road
Fairless Hills, PA 19030

Paypal donations for Kayleigh to: Kwilkes@princeton.edu

If you are a blood donor, please donate in the name of Kayleigh Wilkes, c/o Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pediatric Oncology