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Wednesday less than a week before she turns six months old Lilly Kulungian underwent a bone marrow transplant at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in
Minneapolis . Relatives said the procedure is her best shot at surviving a rare form of Osteopetrosis. The same day in her hometown of Hayden, a teenager named Emily Dowling was planning a concert fundraiser for her own birthday to benefit little Lilly Belle.
Everything was set for the band Honor Society to play at the Old Warrior Armory until Friday, according to Dowling. That was when the band called to say their van broke down.
Fortunately, The Blount County Outlaws came to the rescue. “We found out yesterday about one o'clock this morning on Myspace. I just had created a profile and we got a request on there to play at a benefit for Lilly and we couldn't refuse to do it," said Brone Tidwell.
The Altoona-based band said they were so touched by Lilly's story they not only did the show for free, but actually donated money to the Lilly Kulungian Foundation. Kulungian family friend Kristi Bartlett said she has never seen this much community support for a family in need. "There has been prayer like 24/7. Every obstacle that's come up there has been a bridge over it and they've worked a way around it," said Kristi Bartlett.
The true guest of honor who did show up in time for the party brought a little reminder of what the day was all about.
"Bone marrow," said 4-year-old Delilah Kulungian. She carried a scale model of the bone marrow which she donated to her baby sister earlier in the week. Delilah also brought a smile to Emily Dowling who hugged the little hero.
Although everything did not go according to plan Emily Dowling said on a scale of one to ten her birthday was an, "eleven!"
"It was wonderful and I couldn't ask for anything better," said Emily Dowling.
All the proceeds from the concert went to the Lilly Kulungian Fund set up at Traditions Bank in Warrior to help cover the family’s medical bills and raise money for research about Osteopetrosis.
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