By JENNIFER MAIER / Community Columnist

We can all use a little help from our friends from time to time. For Toby Wilson, the outpouring of community support he received during his battle with lymphoma has been more than he could have ever imagined.

“The support of my community has been unbelievable,” said Wilson. “I couldn’t be more grateful.”

On Feb. 14 of this year, Bobby Madison Basketball had a Camp for a Cause Basketball Clinic to raise funds to benefit Wilson and his family.

Ricky Ruston, who has been a friend of Toby’s since childhood, recently coordinated a raffle to raise money for Wilson.

Raffle tickets were sold during a youth baseball game. On May 14, during the closing ceremonies of Shelby County youth baseball, Ruston surprised Wilson when he announced to everyone that $1,800 had been raised through the raffle.

“I think the support he and his family has received has been tremendous and just another testament to Columbiana as a community,” said Ruston.

Wilson has been involved in youth sports for years, so it was fitting that fundraisers have been sports-related.

“I’ve been involved with youth sports for years simply because I enjoy sports and love being around kids,” said Wilson. “I think teachers and coaches have such an opportunity to impact and influence kid’s lives in a positive way.”

Wilson has advice for anyone battling lymphoma.

“If I could pass along advice to anyone diagnosed with lymphoma, being mentally strong would be high on the list. Family is very important to me. When I think of the possibility of my wife losing her husband and my kids losing their dad, losing a fight to cancer wasn’t an option,” said Wilson.

“It really helps to have an awesome wife when having to go through this. Crystal has been there every step of the way with me and has been so supportive. She has probably had a tougher time with this than I have,” Wilson said.

Family, community and faith are important to Wilson, who has developed a new appreciation for life.

“I can say I used to take things for granted, but when you have a life changing event like this, you definitely take each day as a blessing in itself.”