Community Helping School Employee Fighting Brain Tumor

The Oxford community is coming to the aid of a 28-year-old local school paraprofessional who is battling a brain tumor.

Community members are coming to the aide of Kim Outlaw, a lifelong Oxford resident who works at in Oxford. A benefit dinner to help Outlaw pay escalating medical bills will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 4, at , 24 Hawley Road, off Route 67, in Oxford.

Tickets are $25 per person. For tickets and information, email Jessica Sandor at JNSandor@hotmail.com. For donations only, visit: http://www.Giveforward.com/kimoutlawsbenefit. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Donations for a raffle and silent auction at the May 4 benefit will be accepted; they should be to Sandor no later than April 23. (See the attached flyer for more information).

Doctors discovered Outlaw had a brain tumor in February 2009. Ten days after her diagnosis, she had surgery, followed by nine months of chemotherapy treatment. Her condition was stable for a while, but doctors later discovered that the tumor had grown. Following more treatment, Outlaw’s condition seemed to be getting better. But recently, doctors discovered once gain the tumor had gotten larger.

Outlaw is now undergoing two different chemotherapy treatments. Because of the size of the tumor and how it affects her mobility, she has limited use of the left side of her body. Friends who are organizing the benefit dinner say Outlaw is working hard with a physical therapist and an occupational therapist to regain strength and movement in her left side.

Outlaw student-taught in Rachael Cacace’s second-grade class at Quaker Farms in the spring of 2007. (Cacace is now principal of the school.)

Outlaw began substitute teaching until she was hired as a preschool paraprofessional in the fall of 2009. She is currently working as a kindergarten paraprofessional.

When she’s not working with children, Outlaw enjoys yoga and spending time with her two dogs, Abby and Shadow. However, because of her condition, it is difficult for Outlaw to participate in two of her favorite activities, hiking and photography.

As a testament to her outgoing spirit, Outlaw makes greeting cards and paints the faces of children at birthday parties for leisure.