HAY RIVER
Hay River residents went all out April 23 to support Deagan Clavette, a two-year-old battling life-threatening allergies that have forced him to remain in an Edmonton hospital for much of his young life.

They created Deagan Day - an all-day event starting with a pancake breakfast and craft sale, and ending with a dinner and auction.

As of April 23, Shari Burnstad, one of the main organizers, said the fundraising effort had surpassed its goal of $50,000.

"I can hardly believe it," she said. "It's mind boggling what's been raised but I'm not surprised because I know what Hay River is capable of."

Deagan's mother, Jennifer Tregidgo-Clavette, was almost speechless when she heard the fundraiser reached its goal.

"There are no words to describe what I'm feeling," she told News/North. "I'm so grateful to everyone who has helped us."

Tregidgo-Clavette could not be in Hay River for Deagan Day as she was in Edmonton with her son.

"I'd love to have been there and see everybody," she said. "I'd be giving everyone a big hug and thanking them."

Tregidgo-Clavette has previously described her son as living a "bubble life."

The toddler's near-fatal reactions to more than 25 known foods and products have left him living in Stollery Children's Hospital since October 2014, except for a few short periods outside of the hospital.

Tregidgo-Clavette has been visiting her son every day at the hospital while taking care of four-year-old son Kaelin and preparing for husband Kevin Clavette's layoff from Snap Lake diamond mine in a few weeks.

The couple is renting a house in Edmonton to be with their son.

"Deagan lives one day at a time, enduring life-threatening health issues but always with a smile on his face," Tregidgo-Clavette wrote in a special message read at the fundraising dinner on Deagan Day.

Tregidgo-Clavette told News/North that while Deagan is too young to know what's going on in Hay River, he is aware his life is quite different from other children.

"He has a teddy bear that has a trach and tube, and when Deagan gets an IV his teddy gets one, too," she said. "It helps him cope with what he's going through."

Touched by the family's experience, Burnstad creating Deagan Day about a month ago as a way to raise money for Deagan and his parents.

"It's been exhausting but if people are willing to donate, I'm willing to go get the donations," she said, adding almost everyone she asked for a donation gladly gave, and in many cases gave more than once.

One way the organizers raised money was with a large jar that moved around town.

"I thought people would use it for nickels and dimes but we got very few coins," said Burnstad. "It was nothing to see $100 bills in that jar. I'm just not sure how we're going to get them out now."

She said the funds will go into a community account which is similar to a trust fund.

"When the family needs the money, they just let us know and it's theirs," she said.

Nicky McLellan-Cawson helped organize Deagan Day.

Having just moved to Hay River from Edmonton in September, she had not met Deagan or his mother but was quick to help.

"I heard their story and being a parent I was touched by it," she said. "I wanted to do whatever I could to help. This community has been amazing. You could not find this kind of thing in Edmonton. Everyone really stepped up for this."

McLellan-Cawson even won a barbecue in a fundraising raffle, and chose to auction it off to raise more money. Finally at $2,500, she bought back her own barbecue.

"It's a great cause, and I needed a barbecue," she said with a laugh. "I knew if I won it, I'd auction it off. The family needs it. That's why we're here."

Jill Taylor, who worked with Tregidgo-Clavette at the Lights On youth program, was also at the auction.

"It's very hard what she's going through," said Taylor. "I hope she knows there are a lot of people here that love her and her little boy."

As of April 24, Tregidgo-Clavette reported Deagan had been able to live in the family's house in Edmonton for the week. It is allergen-free and has 24-hour care for Deagan.

"It's been amazing, there are no words to describe how wonderful it feels to be a family," she said. "It's really the first time since October 2014 that we've all been together for this long."

The funds raised in Hay River will go toward the supplies needed to maintain a sterile environment for Deagan, as well as living expenses for the family.

Tregidgo-Clavette said the first priority is an allergy-free mattress for Deagan.

"We're forever grateful," she said. "It takes a community to raise a child, and the NWT has taken it many steps further."

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