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Lyla's Family Thanks North Branford

In the short time since the passing of their nine-year-old daughter, the family of Lyla Bogardus has been overwhelmed and encouraged by the outpouring of support shown by her North Branford hometown.

"We'd just like to thank everyone in the town of North Branford. The community has been amazing in their support," Lyla's dad, Bill Bogardus, told Zip06/The Sound on Jan. 6.

After bravely battling rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the muscle, for over seven years, Lyla passed away early on Christmas morning, surrounded by her family.

Thanks to her remarkable community, Lyla felt the love and support of this town for many years of her life. She was a treasured guest of honor at school and town-wide events organized as "Love for Lyla" fundraisers to help battle childhood cancers.

"She always stayed positive. She always had a smile," said her dad.

Following her passing, the town-wide support for Lyla grew into a grassroots effort to "paint" the town purple, Lyla's favorite color. Also, at the family's request, those attending visiting hours with the family at North Haven Funeral Home on Dec. 30 wore purple.

"Everyone came in purple," said Bogardus, adding North Branford's response was especially poignant that day; and very visible to the family from the moment they left their Northford home.

"From our house, all the way to the funeral home, which runs into North Haven, they literally had a purple bow on every driveway," said Bogardus.

The town-wide show of love for their daughter has mushroomed quickly, making it difficult for the family to track and thank all for the many kind gestures that are being made, said Bogardus.  In addition to individuals and local organizations, the family especially thanks the town's school system, as well as all town departments and the town's first responders, to name a few.

"It's been amazing, but difficult, because [the response] has happened so fast," said Bogardus.

Since Christmas Day, purple ribbons have appeared on doors, mailboxes and utility poles all around town. Purple lights prepared by Public Works and Parks and Recreation re-decorated the town Christmas Tree. On Dec. 28, Giovanni's Restaurant in Northford became a hub for purple bow distribution. At NBFD Co. 1 Headquarters, big purple ribbons rode front and center on apparatus and became NBFD's updated Facebook cover photo. Purple ribbons also layer school buildings, especially Totoket Valley Elementary School, where Lyla was in the fourth grade.  On Jan. 3, all North Branford Police Department (NBPD) personnel began wearing purple ribbon pins, donated by NPBD Officers Ronald Ferrucci and Massimo Piroli.

Purple lights shine from the cupola atop North Branford Fire Department (NBFD) Co. 2 Firehouse in Northford.  More purple lights will shine around town next week; as North Branford Public Schools (NBPS) has arranged a donation event, "Lights for Lyla," supplying donors with purple window candle bulbs to display (lights will be distributed Jan. 9). Youth and school sports teams are showing support, such as North Branford High School Hockey team's "purple out" at its Jan. 5 game, and messages posted on North Branford Youth Lacrosse Facebook. North Branford Youth Basketball, for which Bogardus is a coach,  changed its Facebook cover photo to an image of the NBPS "Prayers for Lyla" sign  – done in purple lights – on the Foxon Road electronic message board.  Residents are also sharing photos and updates on Facebook sites including "North Branford Proud" and "Love for Lyla." Many have also changed their own Facebook profile pictures to a "Love for Lyla" purple button.

The Bogardus family lived in New Jersey for the first two years of Lyla's life and then moved to North Branford, where Lyla's mom, Jana Balsamo, grew up.  Many of Balsamo's extended family members also reside in North Branford, including Lyla's maternal grandparents, Salvatore and Janet Balsamo, residents of over 50 years. The connections have strengthened the town's deep support for the entire family, which also includes Lyla's brothers, Grant and Bennett Bogardus.

Lyla's parents have been posting messages and updates about their daughter on Bill Bogardus' personal Facebook page for many years. Their posts have shared Lyla's progress during hospital visits, photos from milestone events and of the things she loved.

"She loved gaming and she always loved animals," said Bogardus.

This past Halloween, said Borgardus, "...even though we thought she would be too tired, she said, 'We're going to see the owls,'" of Killingworth non-profit, A Place Called Hope - and they did. On Dec. 30, A Place Called Hope named one of its rescues, a Red Tailed Hawk, "Lyla" in her honor.

"Few things in this world would have made her happier," said her dad.  "She definitely would have told you about the Red Tail's call versus a Bald Eagle."

Her family continues to encourage those wishing to make a memorial contribution on behalf of Lyla Bogardus to donate to non-profit A Place Called Hope, 154 Pond Meadow Rd., Killingworth, CT 06419 http://aplacecalledhoperaptors.com/ or to non-profit Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancers, 20 York St., New Haven, CT 06510　http://tommyfund.org/contact-us/