SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknifers have been busy organizing fundraising events and generously opening their wallets to support Kamryn Bond, a one-year-old amputee.

Kamyrn Bond, pictured on May 9, 2011, at the Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton, had both legs, her right hand and part of her left hand amputated in March after contracting a respiratory virus that resulted in septic shock. Much of Bond's family, now in Grande Prairie, Alta., have Yellowknife roots. - photo courtesy of Tracy Johnston

The baby girl contracted respiratory syncytial virus last March, which caused her young body to undergo a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Doctors subsequently had to amputate both legs, her right hand and parts of her left hand to save her life.

Known as "Kammy" to friends and family, the girl, along with her parents, Dale and Allan Bond, are currently at the Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton awaiting Kammy to be fitted for prosthetic legs.

The Bonds lived in Yellowknife for nearly 20 years along with Kammy's grandparents, Linda and Dale Johnston, who lived in Yellowknife for 35 years. The family moved to Grande Prairie, Alta., about two years ago but the community has not forgotten them.

Kammy's mom has been overwhelmed with the generosity of Yellowknifers, plus Grande Praire residents who have raised approximately $30,000 to date overall.

"It's overwhelming. It's completely unreal. I never expected this kind of support, it's amazing," said Dale Bond.

Businesses and organizations in Yellowknife have fundraised or donated the following amounts of money for Kammy and her family: the Monkey Tree Pub, $2,500; Raven Pub, $4,100; Bella Dance Academy, $6,800; DeBeers, $3,300; Diamond Glass, $2,000; The Harley Davidson Society, $920; and McDonald's, $1,000, for a total of $20,620 as of May 11.

Tonight, Hot Shots Pub & Grub in the Stanton Plaza is hosting a fundraiser starting at 7 p.m. The Yellowknife Soccer Association is donating the proceeds of its meat raffle at the pub to Kammy.

Tomorrow, Euphora Hair Spa will be donating all proceeds of haircuts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. toward Kammy. The spa will also be holding a silent auction to auction off hair products.

Dale said Kammy's prostethics for her legs are 75 per cent covered by Alberta's health care system and, since Kammy is now a member of The War Amps, the remaining amount, from what Dale understands, will be covered by that organization.

Kammy's hands are another story, though, because Alberta health care considers prostethic hands to be cosmetic. There are also costs for rehabilitation and counseling for the family. Right now, Dale and Allan are on unpaid leave of absence from work to care for their daughter.

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