6-year-old Leerah diagnosed with leukemia, family seeks community assistance

Much like many of us, the Gilbert family is one that calls Washington County, “home.” Waylin and Corrina Gilbert, along with their six children, live in Campbellsburg, but doctor’s offices and hospitals have recently become their second home over the past several months. Namely, involving their daughter, Leerah, who was diagnosed with a form of leukemia in November of 2025… two weeks before her sixth birthday.

They are currently seeking financial help, as well as physical help from anyone available on February 7 when they plan to renovate their farmhouse to make it more livable for Leerah.

“There’s a job for everybody,” said Dineshia Wheeler. “It doesn’t matter if 40 people show up. There is a job for everyone.”

The farmhouse is located at 1755 N Saltillo Rd, Campbellsburg, and they are planning to start at 8:30 am on February 7. Those wishing to help monetarily can do so by clicking the link below:

https://gofund.me/65bd9e06e

“The whole second half of 2025 was just one medical trip after another for the Gilbert family in general,” said Dineshia Wheeler. “It actually started with their son in July. He got diagnosed with Lyme meningitis. So they were back and forth at the hospital with him until mid to late September. And if I'm not mistaken, he still has some doctor visits following up with that. In October, Leerah actually broke her leg. They noticed that she was bruising a little bit easier as well. Two weeks after Leerah broke her leg, she was having severe pain. So they took her back to the hospital, and that's when she was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She is only in phase three out of ten to be in complete remission. They're aiming for the 1st of January of 2028 for her to be in full remission. However, they've had to postpone phase three because her platelets were okay, but her Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) had dropped dramatically. And that put her in severe neutropenia. So right now, what might be a light cough to one person is going to be full blown pneumonia to her.

“Their mortgage in the home they are currently living in is outrageous,” continued Wheeler. “And the farmhouse that they are trying to make livable for Leerah needs a lot of work. I've been out there. I've looked things over. I'm trying to coordinate a list of people to be hands on and get some labor going. And then finding some contractors -- people who have a special profession in like, electrical, plumbing, and whatnot to see if there's anything they can do to help with those bigger issues. I did find a gentleman, Ben Bennington, that has volunteered to fix the roof. So, his guys are going to put in all the labor to fix the roof. Paul Cornett, he has some guys, and they're going to fix the soffit and the gutters and downspouts for them. It's all great. People are coming together, but our issue is with the HVAC and materials. HVAC right now is their biggest expense that we are racking our brains to try and figure out, and just materials in general for everything else. The roofers, they'll do the labor for free, but coming up with materials is the issue. So materials right now are a big thing, but also the amount of traveling that they're having to do for Leerah, and just their normal monthly bills on top of their medical bills – which insurance is not being helpful with. It's just really starting to weigh down on Corrina and Waylin, Leerah's parents. They're doing everything they can, but it's hard to work and be there for Leerah. So, it's just a difficult situation.”

Below is a current list of needed materials (an updated list is expected to come soon):

• Two 28x 38 windows

• One 26x52 window 

• One 24x45 1/2 window 

• Kitchen base cabinets

• Double sink vanity

• Flooring

• 14 pieces of 1/2” drywall, Drywall mud

• Lights

• Shingles or metal roofing

“Her parents are just all around awesome people,” she added. “I went to school with them. Corrina has always been a full hearted, go for it type of person. If she can help, she will help anybody. And Waylin is just about the same. He's a retired vet. He started his own construction company, and he had to shut it down for Leerah. But I've known Waylin to step out of his way to go and help people as well. Overall, they are a great family. If someone else was in their shoes, they would be standing up too.”

Wheeler then stated that if no materials are donated, and if they have to purchase everything on their own, it will all cost approximately $30,000. She says the HVAC and roof alone costs $16,000, and that they are actively trying to put together a fundraiser.

Our community is known for helping others in their times of need. So, if you feel compelled to help this struggling family in any way, please do not hesitate to do so. Whether that takes the form of monetary donations or donations of physical labor and materials, any help is welcome with open arms.

For any additional information, please contact Dineshia Wheeler at (812) 620-0946.