AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Five-year-old William Taylor of Amarillo was diagnosed just last year with a serious medical condition that affects his brain. His parents, Roland and Jenny, have not only had to handle their three other sons and the debilitating disease William has, but also manage the insurmountable medical bills they now face.
"It's just been a roller coaster ride," William's mother Jenny said. "We don't know what's going to happen next but it's definitely in God's hands."
Fortunately, the Taylor family recently had at least a little good news roll their way.
The Randall County Roller Dames of Amarillo learned about William's story and his families struggles and decided to do what they could to help.
"Most of us are moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, we're very family oriented," said Roller Dame Amy Griffin, more affectionately known as Big Red. "I saw this little video of this little boy and all the struggles that he's going through and I immediate broke down into tears and I was like 'oh man'. We didn't have a benefit for the game coming up tomorrow (Saturday), so I said let's benefit their family."
Half of the proceeds from Saturday's roller derby bout will go to the Taylor family. Plus, all of the proceeds from an additional raffle will also be donated for William.
"We have a bunch of raffle items like a big TV, season tickets, a cooler, all kinds of fun stuff that people have donated so that we can get their family some money," added Big Red. "They'll get all that."
A gift from these 'women on wheels' that the Taylor family said they're so grateful for.
"Whatever it is, their prayers, their time, their money, we appreciate them from the bottom of our hearts," said Jenny. "We're so grateful."
"It's amazing," added Roland. "It feels really good. It's through times like that where you really see Jesus, you can see him work."
The Roller Dames usually play to benefit someone or something at least once a month, said Big Red, and they're happy to be able to help William and his family.
"When we have something that we can give back to the community, it benefits everybody," added Big Red. "I know that when I was in a position of need there were people there to help me, so that I'm in a position now that I can help others and it just feels good."
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. at the Courts of Amarillo and the game will start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available for $12 at the door. If you want to purchase tickets ahead of time, or have them delivered to you, either log on to RandallCountyRollerDames.com, call Big Red at 336-3913 or Terra Seright at 336-1746.
For more on Williams story, "Like" his page, Prayers For William, on Facebook.
