Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A recently published article in The Winchester Sun detailed the story of Evelyn Marcum, a one-year-old girl who received a liver transplant to help counter a rare illness.

Last Saturday evening, a trunk-or-treat event at College Park at 30 Wheeler Avenue helped provide an opportunity to raise money for Evelyn’s continuing care.

“It’s [meant] everything to see the support from the community, from our volunteers, from our friends, from our families [and] from organizations,” said Nicole Marcum, Evelyn’s mother. “I grew up in Winchester. I love this town, and to have people rally around us and our daughter [has] been a blessing.”

Evelyn Marcum, who celebrates her first birthday in the last week of October, was recently donated a liver transplant in September.

Previously diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare diagnosis that affects only one in every 50,000 children, complications eventually led to her suffering from liver cirrhosis.

With a transplant being necessary, they found a match, leading to the procedure.

“It was so exciting,” said Carissa Garland, Nicole Marcum’s sister-in-law, and Evelyn’s aunt. “Nothing’s happening, and then all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘we have a liver’. Twenty-four hours later, she’s transplanted. It’s a really long procedure, but thankfully she did really well.”

On Saturday, dozens showed up at the trunk-or-treat event and donated free will.

The family has partnered with COTA, the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, to help raise funds.

Garland also serves as the community coordinator with Evelyn’s campaign.

“Essentially, the funds go from donations to COTA as an organization, and then they put those funds aside for Evelyn for medical [and] transplant expenses and things like that,” she said. “We want to be inclusive of the community to … have them all be able to come out and trunk-or-treat … [donating] whatever they can afford.”

For the trunk-or-treat event itself, several costumed kids and adults got creative.

While walking around and gathering candy, individuals were dressed as Spiderman, Princesses, and even the clown, Pennywise, from Stephen King’s “It.”

Vehicles such as the Lincoln Town Car were showcased.

Different inflatable bounce houses were also present for entertainment.

Crossroads Church, offering free hot chocolate and coffee, had several members at the event.

They have been actively involved in supporting Evelyn.

“We had the privilege of praying for baby Evelyn for several months, and then she got a new liver,” said member DeEtta Blackwell. “It’s a miracle and it’s wonderful.”

“It’s been a privilege to watch God work through the Marcum’s”, added Kids Ministry Director Sommer Anderson. “They’re a good family.”

For more information on Evelyn’s recovery, visit the Evelyn’s Liver Journey page on Facebook.