Gathering for Gabby: A Community Comes Together Again

A crowd gathered in Reeves Park and the rain stayed away for a vigil for 5-year-old Gabriella "Gabby" Vogel.

Gabby was diagnosed with inoperable cancer on June 8 after her family noticed she was having trouble keeping her balance. Her story moved the community to want to help, and on the same day the Vogels had the diagnosis, plans were in the works to put together a vigil Sunday. 

"We, Gabby's Angels along with the Phoenixville community, really wanted to support all the Vogels and we felt this was a good way to start," said Michele Snyder. "We began work that night and have been working on it since."  

"It was wonderful," said Andrea Hilborn, who was Gabby's preschool teacher at Zion Preschool in Spring City. "We were lucky the weather held out for us."  

Hilborn made her way up on stage during the vigil, joking that only Gabby could make her get up to speak in front of that many people. 

Gabby's father, John Vogel, was on hand at the vigil with Gabby's two sisters. He cited Gabby's stubborn nature as proof she'll pull through. 

"She's going to prove everyone wrong," he said. 

John Vogel noted that when Gabby begins radiation treatments on Wednesday, she'll start getting better. Then, every day after that, she'll get better and better. He also thanked everyone for showing up to the vigil. 

Gabby and her mom Carolynn joined via Skype, and Gabby's image was projected up on a large screen on stage. After the vigil ended, kids raced to the stage to say hi to their friend Gabby and wish her well.

Music was a big part of the vigil, and Mike Love, the father of 4-year-old Trey Love, sang together with musicians. Trey's own vigil was at Reeves Park back in March, and he's still fighting cancer. The greater Phoenixville community came together in a massive effort to help the Love family, and Trey's mother Missy got her wish to take Trey to Disney World. 

Many events, including a multi-location bake sale on June 19; a spaghetti dinner at the Vogel's church, St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Phoenixville; a beef and beer and more are planned to support and help the family during a difficult time. 

"To have that kind of love and support come to us ...  I think that's what's important to the family," Hilborn said.

For more information or to see a full list of events, visit the "Get Well Gabby" page on Facebook. You can also donate online