Story and photography by Alice Miller

The Butterfly Fund recently held its annual Denim and Diamonds Gala at The Venue in Lenoir City with many guests supporting the theme with their attire. Emcee Michele Silva of
B97.5. introduced seven year old Kyle Kostowicz who told of his journey with childhood cancer.

The families of Emily Barger and Maddie Harrill established the Butterfly Fund at the East Tennessee Foundation in memory of their daughters who died in 2008 from the same rare form of childhood cancer. Proceeds from the event will support local, regional and national pediatric cancer research, treatments and services. To date the fund has donated $215,000 to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and $20,000 to CureSearch.