By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / For the Reporter

Good Hope United Methodist Church in Columbiana is hosting a benefit yard sale and silent auction Sept. 21-22, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church.

All proceeds will aid the expense of a stem cell transplant for church member Kayla Carlisle, a 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed with type II Alexander disease in October 2017 and now faces a presumed six months to live.

Her procedure is scheduled for Sept. 22.

“We are asking for everybody to come together for this sweet girl,” an event flyer reads. “If you have any items to donate or want to contribute in any way, your help will be greatly appreciated!”

According to the flyer, the items can be dropped off at the church beginning Sept. 17. Anyone interested in contributing can call the church at (205) 669-4284.

Carlisle is best known in the community as the daughter of Shane and Kimberly Carlisle and granddaughter of Bill and Sue Farr.

Many people have stepped forward to show their support for the family and offer any assistance they can, Kimberly Carlisle said.

“I’ve had people come out from everywhere to help,” she said. “The yard sale was brought up, and then somebody donated an O-Henry rifle to auction off, somebody has donated a Yeti cooler, and somebody has donated Alabama (football) tickets.”

Drawing tickets for the University of Alabama football tickets, rifle and cooler are $10 each.

Carlisle said other event features include a baked goods and T-shirt sale.

According to Carlisle, doctors have given up hope for a solution and have ceased treatment all together.

“We’re out on our own,” she said. “There’s nothing that they can do … the doctors won’t even talk to us. Hospice turned us down, because there’s no care for it.”

The stem cell transplant is an alternative treatment offered by an independent business the Carlisle family discovered through research.

Kayla’s father, Shane, is donating his stem cells for the transplant, which will transfer the cells intravenously to Kayla.

Carlisle explained that Alexander disease is neurological, “so it controls everything.”

Doctors estimate that Kayla developed the disease when she was 16 years old.

“We are trusting and believing that our Lord and Savior is going to heal Kayla through this stem cell transplant,” Carlisle said. “We cannot express how grateful and blessed our family feels at this time for all the love and support shown to us by our family, friends and community during this difficult time.”

Monetary donations can be made at Bryant Bank or online at sparrowclinic.com/goodfight/.

Good Hope United Methodist Church is located at 2735 Highway 61 in Columbiana.