The Woodward News

Local News

September 15, 2009

Benefit for baby spreads word about rare disease

By the smile on 10-month-old Crosslyn Gracia’s face you would never know that she suffers from Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

When the Woodward Elks heard about this courageous little girl and her families recent struggles, they chose her as the focus for their benefit car and motorcycle show held Saturday.

Dusty Gracia of Eakly is Crosslyn’s father. He’s loves riding broncos and has participated in the Elks rodeo for the past seven years.

 On June 7,  Dusty Gracia’s wife McKyna died in a car accident, leaving him to care for their infant daughter.

"Since McKyna’s death the families really been struggling to keep things together,” said Shelby Gracia, Crosslyn's aunt.

“After Crosslyn was born she was hungry all the time and losing weight.  When she was two weeks old the doctors diagnosed her with Cystic Fibrosis,” said Crosslyn’s great-grandmother Donna Lawrence.

“Cystic Fibrosis is not a common disease.

  There are only 350 cases in Oklahoma,” Shelby Gracia said.  “Not many people understand what it is.  I want people to know what it is and how it affects people who have it.”

“Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects many organs in the body.  Most of the symptoms Crosslyn has affect her lungs and digestive system.  Her immune system is compromised, making her more susceptible to bacterias that the rest of us don’t have to worry about,” said Crosslyn’s grandmother Sharla Sharry.

“She looks healthy because she’s been on enzymes since we discovered she had this disease,” she said.

There is currently no cure for CF, but there are treatment options. Crosslyn takes replacement enzymes before every meal which allows food she eats to digest properly.

Proceeds from the car and motorcycle show as well as proceeds from a poker run, fish fry and dance will go to help cover Crosslyn’s medical expenses.

“This is the second year that we’ve made the car show a benefit.  Last year we raised about $10,000 for a little boy who has cancer and we hope we can help Crosslyn’s family, too,” said Alan Shive who was one of the organizers for the show.

 You can read more about Crosslyn’s fight against cystic fibrosis at www.cure4crosslyn.com.

Text Only
Local News
  • Winter weather visits Woodward

    Maybe the groundhog was right after all, as Northwest Oklahoma received some winter weather Tuesday and more may be in the forecast.

    February 7, 2012

  • City not footing bill for additions

    The city won't have to foot the bill for an increase in construction costs to renovate the Woodward Industrial Building for use by Siemens Energy.

    February 7, 2012

  • AARP set up in Enid to offer tax help

    TULSA - The American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Tax-Aide Program is only coming as close to the Woodward area as Enid this year, says State Program Coordinator Andy Bednarz, who is out of Tulsa.

    February 7, 2012

  • Area legislators react favorably to State of the State speech

    OKLAHOMA CITY - Area legislators were upbeat after Gov. Mary Fallin's State of the State address Monday.
    The News obtained statements from Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward; Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview; and Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, following the address Monday afternoon.

    February 7, 2012

  • Gov. Fallin highlights more cuts to state income tax

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin outlined a budget plan Monday to deeply reduce Oklahoma's personal income tax rate by eliminating dozens of tax exemptions, including many claimed by poor and working-class Oklahomans.

    February 7, 2012

  • Commissioner wants to raise awareness about Agenda 21

    A Woodward County commissioner wants to spread the word about what he believes is an on the American way of life.

    February 6, 2012

  • Recent rain big boost for wheat

    Those who make their living off a healthy wheat crop are singing the praises of the recent rain.

    February 6, 2012

  • WEBvietnammemorial.jpg Special trip honors veterans

    Oklahoma Honor Flights offer free transportation by air and bus to help veterans visit the memorials in our nation's capitol.  To participate in the honor flights, all veterans have to do is fill out an application which is available on the Oklahoma Honor Flights website at http://oklahomahonorflights.org/. 

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • webwickware.jpg “Fightin’ Firefighter” preps for debut MMA cage fight

    Come Feb. 11, Michael "the Fightin' Firefighter" Wickware will fight for a victory in his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) amateur debut match.
    The match will take place during the Art of War Cage Fights which will be held at the Woodward County Fairgrounds.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ethnic food fair, raffle to benefit Outreach Center

    High Plains Outreach Center’s annual Ethnic Food Fair will be held Feb. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Clayton Hall at the First Christian Church located at 9th St. and Oklahoma Ave.  At the conclusion of this year's food fair, the Outreach Center will be raffling off a couple of prizes including a pair of Thunder tickets and a photo of Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers.

    February 4, 2012