BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Patricia Allen Fund, started in honor of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen's late grandmother, has surpassed $1 million in donations as of Monday following one woman's $217,000 donation.
According to Kaleida Health, Buffalo native Sue McCollum donated $217,000 today to put the fund over the million-dollar milestone.
The Patricia Allen Fund was started following an outpouring of support by Bills fans following her death.Allen passed away on Saturday, November 7. The following day, Josh Allen took the field for the Bills and delivered an outstanding performance, lifting the Bills to a 44-34 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Fans learned after the game that Allen's grandmother had passed away, and started making donations to Oishei Children's Hospital in her honor.
Donations grew so quickly, Oishei Children's Hospital announced the creation of the Patricia Allen Fund. The hospital also named the west wing of the tenth floor the Patricia Allen Pediatric Recovery Wing.
McCollum grew up in Amherst and is a lifelong Bills fan. She now resides in St. Louis, Missouri. McCollum had been following the Patricia Allen fund from her home in St. Louis, and made the gift Monday in honor of her late parents, Frederick D. and Joan R. McCollum.
“I have always rooted for the underdog, for those fighting to overcome the odds, and so many of the kids at Oishei Children’s Hospital do just that. I hope this fund continues to grow. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the Holidays knowing I was able to help these kids, while honoring my parents, Colleen’s grandparents and my great nephew’s great grandparents. Watching the Bills win the AFC East title was pretty great too, I have no doubt my parents heard the cheers,” said McCollum in a statement.
McCollum also has a personal connection to the hospital. Her great-nephew has been receiving care there for his entire life for a rare autoimmune disease.
