Community responds to health-care need

It didn’t take long for Donald Cannon, 34, to get the help he needed.

“A rough estimate, I’d say, is that we had about $500 by early afternoon. It’s been truly amazing,” said Medical Arts Pharmacy owner Marvin Bredehoft, who spearheaded efforts to raise the $200 needed to replace Cannon’s feeding tube.

“We are blessed to live in a caring community,” he said.

Cannon, pictured above, suffered a serious head injury in 1987, leaving him quadriplegic. His mother, an unemployed nurse’s aide, did not have enough money to replace the tube.

“So many people have opened their hearts to us. We are thrilled and very appreciative,” said Cannon’s mother, Virginia Thomas, pictured at left. “If Donald could talk, he’d want to thank everybody, I’m sure.”

Contributions may be sent to Donald Cannon Fund, Douglas County State Bank, Box 429, Lawrence 66044. All donations will be used to offset Cannon’s health-care costs.

Cannon and Thomas’ plight was the subject of a story in Wednesday’s Journal-World.

Courts

Hearing delayed in case of stolen oil painting

Edward Shipp, a man accused of stealing an oil painting from a Kansas University student’s unlocked apartment last year, did not stand trial Wednesday.

“The hearing was pushed back to May 5,” said Shipp’s father, Robert Shipp, who had expected to testify.

Shipp said his 33-year-old son had paranoid schizophrenia. He’d hoped his testimony would increase awareness on issues surrounding the community’s response to the mentally ill, which was the subject of a story in Tuesday’s Journal-World.

Activities

Watkins youth program accents Jayhawk history

The legend of the Jayhawk — from its historical background to its yellow shoes — will be the subject of a youth program Saturday at the Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass.

Museum educator Phyllis Bia will lead children through the history of Kansas University’s enduring mascot, from inception to its present-day perch in the NCAA Tournament.

The program, open to children ages 8 to 11, begins at 1:30 p.m., and participants must register in advance. The cost is $5.

Participants will have time to share their Jayhawk memorabilia and to create their own Jayhawk activity books for writing stories, displaying KU items or collecting autographs from players and coaches.

For more information, contact the museum at 841-4109.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.58 at Citgo, Ninth and Iowa streets. If you find a lower price, report it to Pump Patrol at 832-7154.