Courtesy Lyla's Dream Bakery
The Dream Machine Tour's Charlie Rocket with Lyla McCarty
A pop-up bakery in Florissant saw long lines and heavy traffic over the weekend. For three hours, North County bakery Made. by Lia was transformed into Lyla’s Dream Bakery. Not only were the people in line to buy some premium pig-shaped baked goods, but they were also there to support a good cause. The line stretched to over half a mile, and the cookies sold out.
Courtesy Lyla's Dream Bakery
Lyla McCarty, after whom the pop-up shop was named, is a 10-year-old-girl who has complex regional pain syndrome in the form of acute chronic pain in her leg. While the uncommon condition has no cure, there is a treatment program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Since the treatment is reportedly not entirely covered by the family's insurance provider, the McCarty family is relying on fundraising and donations to cover the $150,000 needed for the treatment and expenses.
The event was organized by Charlie Rocket, a social media celebrity with millions of followers who runs the Dream Machine Foundation, which helps people in need across the country through the help of online donations.
Courtesy Lyla's Dream Bakery
"Lyla has captured my heart. And I think y’all have fallen in love with her and her dreams just as much as I have!!” Rocket posted on Instagram. "Lyla is so strong. And sooo inspirational! I want to help Lyla get this treatment. I want her to not be in as much pain every day. I want to see her smile again!!! And I want her to be the next biggest baker with her pig cookies taking over the world!!!”
While much of the needed funds were raised over the weekend, a GoFundMe page was also set up to help the McCarty's over the finish line. The family has also set up a website to purchase Lyla’s cookies, which are available in two sizes, a six-cookie box for $25 or 12 cookies for $45. All of the proceeds go toward covering Lyla’s treatments.
On the website, Lyla shares a message for prospective cookie buyers:
My name is Lyla, and I have CRPS in my leg :(
Doctor’s have told me the pain is worse than childbirth which my mom tells me hurts really bad.
It’s also called the “suicide disease” because it’s so painful and many kids can’t handle it.
A lot of days aren’t very fun for me, but I try to keep a smile on my face.
It doesn’t hurt all the time, so I still get to be a kid sometimes.
The good news is that it can get better and some doctors can help!
The bad news is that it’s so rare that insurance doesn’t cover all of it.
Or at least that’s what my parents tell me!
I’m selling these cookies to raise money, so I can afford to fix my leg and not feel pain anymore.
When you buy my piggy cookies, I will send you a hand written letter thanking you for your order!
Thank you for helping me!
Love, Lyla
