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8- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 5, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Fallon's friends rally in time of need Oakville resident Bill Fallon is getting the help he needs. It's all thanks to his childhood buddy, community support and a fundraiser at the Kelsey's Restaurant Oakville North Wednesday. On the so-called "morning after" Fallon -- who in March had weighed in at more than 500 pounds with many life-threatening health issues at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) -- was checking into the rehabilitation program he'd been seeking. Fallon will participate in up to two months of in-house rehabilitation at Homewood Health Centre in Guelph. Wednesday's fundraiser came up with half the necessary funding. The monthly $7,000 fee -- or alternatively, the more than a year's waiting list for a government-funded bed -- had proved an obstacle for Fallon, a former Gordon E. Perdue High School student. Until the 45-year-old Fallon's childhood friend, Chris Tymstra, owner of Corbett's Sports and the north Oakville Kelsey's, stepped in. Upon learning of Fallon's predicament, the friends who had lost touch -- Fallon becoming almost reclusive because of weight-related mobility issues -- were reunited. In a matter of days, Tymstra had organized the fundraiser, which raised enough for a month's worth of treatment and saw some 250 people attend to support Fallon. Anyone wishing to donate can still do so by forwarding a cheque to Corbetts, 120 Speers Rd., Oakville ON L6K 2E7 c/o Bill Fallon. "He was beaming," said Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn whose Constituency Office assisted in getting an MRI for Fallon in Buffalo -- the local machine couldn't accommodate Fallon's size -- and assisting with his application to Homewood. Fallon's aunt, Kathy Williston, turned to Flynn in frustration when seeking treatment for Fallon. "It was really something to see and the love and support Bill received from lost friends, neighbours and family was something special," said Williston. On Thursday morning, Tymstra and Williston drove Fallon to Homewood. He had been admitted to hospital with weeping sores caused by poor circulation, diabetes, heart stress and needed oxygen. Fallon had his stomach "stapled" 20 years ago, did not find a long-term answer in that procedure. DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER REASON TO SMILE: Wednesday's fundraiser raised financial and moral support for the former Gordon E. Perdue High School student and football player. Building a Global Village Yes, I would like to donate to HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CANADA! Please help Habitat for Humanity Canada Global Village team member Shirley Brush provide a `Dream Come True' for a family in Central America this summer! EVERYDAY LOW MORTGAGE RATES. NO GIMMICKS. 5.29 % 5 Y E A R F I X E D RAT E Every day is a good day to get our Everyday Low Mortgage Rates. No gimmicks. No need to negotiate. Find out why more than 90% of our Members surveyed said they would recommend FirstOntario Credit Union to friends. Call us at 1 800 616.8878, visit a branch or www.firstontariocu.com. Rates may change with market conditions. Please make your cheque payable to HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CANADA and make reference to "Shirley's Happy Homes" and mail it to: Habitat for Humanity Canada 40 Albert Street, Waterloo, ON N2L 3S2 Thank you very much for your support! Income tax receipts will be issued for all donations. Charitable Registration #11895 0120 RR0001