Chroma Gallery to Hold Fundraiser for Guilford Native Battling Leukemia

Dave LeRiche is currently almost 1,000 miles away from our town of Guilford, but his story is close to all of our hearts. Dave is a Guilford native, having graduated from Guilford High School in 2004. Down in far away Nashville, Tennessee, Dave is receiving chemotherapy for his diagnosis of leukemia and preparing for his stem cell transplant. His younger brother, Brian, is right their with him. He is the donor.

Barbara Shulman-Kirwin, owner of Chroma Gallery, heard about Dave's diagnosis through her daughter, who went to school with Brian and is close friends with him. After hearing about his diagnosis, and the countless medical pressures and bills that go along it, Barbara's daughter simply said "Mom, we have to help."

"We've done a lot of fundraisers here over time," Barbara told Guilford Patch. "And it's been for folks far and wide, so I thought, we should absolutely do something for those close to home, for a local family."

"So we decided to hold a fundraiser December 18th at the Gallery," Barbara said. "All day, I'll donate 25% of my profits to help the LeRiche family. This is one reason I opened my own store, so I could do things like this, to give back to the community."

The gallery will also stay open late today, from 5 PM to 8 PM, because they will hold a martini party in honor of Dave. The event will feature a "variety of martinis, some yummy food and other drinks," according to the business's Facebook page. 

"The Martini Party is a way to come together to show support to Dave and his whole family as they go though this really challenging time in their lives," Barbara continued. "But, if people can't get down for the day or the party, they can send a check and I will make sure that the family receives the donation."

You can also make a donation by visiting Dave's fundraising page on Facebook. The page also documents Dave's progress, his amazing strength, and the wonderful support his family has provided him with every step of the way.

"This event is truly in the holiday spirit of community and giving," concludes Barbara. "Now more than ever, we need this."

The Facebook Event concludes with this message: The LeRiches are such a wonderful family, and every little bit of support counts! Feel free to invite everyone and anyone!

Chroma Gallery hours today, December 18th, will be from 10:30 a.m - 8 p.m, and the martini party will take place from 5-8. They are located at 20 Church Street in Guilford.