Toby Keith

Toby Keith brings attention, funds to Ally's House, which aids Oklahomans dealing with pediatric cancer

By Brandy McDonnell
Staff Writer

For Toby Keith, Ally's House is "my charity.”

His fervor for the Norman-based organization is fueled by the memory of an ailing little girl who just wanted to go home.

In 2004, Keith helped establish Ally's House, a nonprofit group that helps Oklahoma children with cancer and their families. The charity is named for Allison Webb, the 2-year-old daughter of Scott Webb, one of the country star's original bandmates. Allison died Aug. 6, 2003, a month before her third birthday, of Wilms' tumors, a type of kidney cancer.

"The Make-A-Wish (Foundation) people asked her if there was anything she wanted to go do; she said she just wanted to go to her house, just go to Ally's house. So we named it Ally's House, and it benefits the families and patients here in Oklahoma,” Keith said in a recent phone interview.

Keith, who grew up in Moore and lives in Norman, will again show his support for the cause this weekend, when he hosts the fourth annual Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic. Last year's event raised about $300,000 for the charity, said Linda Webb, Allison's mom and Ally's House executive director.

Golfers quickly filled the roster for this year's tournament. The event includes a private concert and silent and live auctions tonight for the golfers and guests. Saturday's tournament at Norman's Belmar Golf Club will include local celebrities Bob Stoops, Barry Switzer, Billy Sims and Joe Washington.

"This is a direct shot in the arm for Oklahoma City. None of these proceeds go national; these go directly to Oklahomans,” Keith said.

Webb, who is a cancer survivor, said Ally's House assists with medical and prescription drug costs, travel expenses and other financial needs associated with a family's battle with pediatric cancer. The charity provided toys, furniture and a plasma TV for the playroom in the new hematology oncology wing at Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center.

"Any Oklahoma child who is diagnosed with cancer and their family is eligible for help,” she said.

Allison initially received care at Children's Hospital, then at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Keith said the family found "a whole different level of care” at St. Jude.

"The family was overwhelmed with how well St. Jude was prepared and how, really, you need to be prepared ... when the crisis starts of you having a little child (with cancer),” Keith said.

"One of you's got to quit, so that cuts your income in half. You know, the husband or wife — one has to quit work and go with the kid. The medicines and things are very expensive. There's one pill that you have to buy that is $100 a pill or better, and it's probably gone up since I looked last. But it is a pill that will ease the pains of chemo and radiation treatments. So, a parent would spend his last dollar to see that their kids were as pain-free as possible.”

Among the long-term goals for Ally's House is a center where families could stay while their children are treated at Children's Hospital, Keith said.

In the meantime, the entertainer is impressed at what the nonprofit has achieved in just four years.

"It's amazing how many families are already affected by it, how many people come up ... that have just on chance been in the restaurant (Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill) or have come to a show or something and said, ‘You know, you guys were lifesavers,'” he said.

After playing in Saturday's tournament, Keith will gear up for the June 12 release of his new album, "Big Dog Daddy.” He recently wrote a treatment for a movie titled "Beer for My Horses.” He also is preparing to go on tour and working with other musicians on his independent label, Show Dog Nashville.

"I'm busy,” he said. "There's a method to the madness, though. It doesn't wear on me. It's a plateful, but it's what I want.”