Incredible Pig Auction Nets Some Serious Bacon For Livermore Boy Battling Leukemia

PLEASANTON, CA — A little boy in Livermore fighting for his life is getting some serious support from a big pig and a community with an even bigger heart. Courage, a 270-pound pig donated by a 12-year-old Livermore boy, was auctioned for $108,000 during the livestock auction on July 3 at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. That comes out to a hefty $400 per pound. The average price per pound for hogs is $7.28, according to fair officials.

Rita and Mike Garner, owners of American Truck and Trailer Body of Tracy, bought the pig, and an additional $42,281 in add-ons from the crowd brought the final total to a staggering $150,281. The funds raised by the incredible sale of the Duroc pig will benefit 5-year-old Livermore resident Keegan Cowell-Lyons and his family. Alameda County Fair officials called the unprecedented auction "amazing."

Keegan has leukemia, and he has been battling it for most of his young life. He was first diagnosed three months before his second birthday. He recently celebrated his fifth birthday at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Despite the many touching fundraising efforts of the community, family members say his medical bills have currently exceeded $12 million and will keep growing.

Kelly Prentice-Allen, a longtime family friend of the Cowell-Lyons family, said her son, Ty Cooper Allen, 12, a member of the Livermore 4H group, bred and donated Courage to help the Cowell-Lyons family. Livermore High School senior Rachelle McIntyre, 18, raised the pig on their property after Prentice-Allen's son, who goes by Cooper, sold him to her for a dollar. Prentice-Allen says Cooper came up with the idea to use the pig to raise funds for the young family.

“I cannot imagine going through what they are going through,” Prentice-Allen said.

According to Prentice-Allen, the effort to donate, raise and get the pig to the fair auction was a community endeavor. In addition to the collaboration and teamwork of Cooper and McIntyre, Prentice-Allen says Brian Smith from Smith Feed donated feed when he could. Slic Art in Livermore made the Courage banner for the fair. The Allen family, who own A.C.E Electric in Livermore, sponsored the pig.

“I am really proud of what Cooper did,” Prentice-Allen told Patch. “The most important thing is to get this family money.”

Community members who witnessed the auction said the moment was overwhelming and ended with cheers and a standing ovation.

Jennifer Cowell, Keegan's aunt, said their family was absolutely stunned and speechless.

"There truly are no words to describe how blessed our family feels right now, to have such wonderful community support," Cowell said.

“I was sobbing when the gavel hit at 400 pounds,” Prentice-Allen said. “Everyone was sobbing.”

Cowell says her family feels blessed.

"Keegan has a long way to go, but with so many people praying for him, offering kind thoughts and words, and extending such generosity, I just can't believe he won't make it," Cowell said. "I've said it a million times already, this child is destined for greatness, he just needs the chance."

Click here to donate to Team Keegan.

Lead photo courtesy Alameda County Fair