News 12 at 6 o'clock, March 2, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga.---It's another gift from the Give it 4Ward organization. They're helping an 8-year old leukemia patient have a fun evening with his family as local lawmakers in Atlanta fight for cancer research funding.

Little Timothy Dube got a big surprise. He got free tickets to Disney Live courtesy of a complete stranger.

"We're so blessed," said Kelley Dube. "We're just so thankful."

Cancer recently invaded the Dube home. It left Timothy's older brother, CJ, fighting leukemia.

"They're are still children," said Candye Smith with Give it 4Ward. "They need some excitement in their lives, too."

"It couldn't have come at a better time," said Kelley. "I was feeling really low. I didn't believe it at first. I had to pinch myself to make sure that it was really happening."

This all comes as the state is discussing cutting cancer research funding at the Medical College of Georgia by as much as $10 million.

"It's just unbelievable it just breaks my heart," said Kelley. "There is a lot of research being done for other diseases. If you could see my child's face it would break your heart."

She is convinced research could save her son's life.

"What is there not to say that we can't eradicate leukemia," said Kelley.

Until then, she donates what she can to the MCG Health's Children's medical Center.

"I just get up every morning and do it," said Kelley. "We go to bed and thank God, and I hope to wake up the next morning to do it again."

She's done it with little fanfare until now.

"That's what Give it 4Ward does," said Candye. "We're going to give it forward to you, and pray that you go give it forward to someone else. Can one person make a difference? My motto is yes."

The family will go for more tests next week. They're praying for good news. The local legislative delegation tells News 12 that at least half of that $10 million dollars has been restored. Work is still underway. The legislative session ends on Friday.