Auction to help with medical bills

Kristin Goellner and her mom Pam, both of south Fort Myers, are stepping up to prove that the negative impacts of cancer on a family can be stopped.

The duo will be hosting a silent auction July 27 to commemorate the loss of a family member named Eddie Torres who died of cancer.

"Eddie was always on the go and just full of life," said Kristin about the stepfather who took her in as a daughter. "He was vibrant, healthy and full of life."

The Goellners lost Eddie to pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed two years ago. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation but the cancer spread to his liver and eventually ended his life.

"I was literally praying about what I was going to do," said Pam about the medical bills that came pouring in after Eddie's death and left her working 70-hour weeks.

Then came the idea for an auction and the community has already reacted generously.

"It's heartwarming that there are so many people out there that are willing to help when they don't even really know us," said Kristin about organizations and businesses that have offered auction items such as sunglasses.

The items will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at The Bell Tower Shops and the Goellners hope even more support will pour in.

"This should be a fantastic event and there is nothing going on on a Sunday afternoon anyway," said Pam, who was told by the hotel that they would host the event for free. "We started planning this auction when [Eddie] was alive and he was so proud that we were doing something."

There will be 20 tables with items that bidders can bid on after paying a $1 fee.

"It's all been a real blessing and even in these hard times people are still very giving," Pam said.