Lorie Carey (left) and Paul Carey (right) of Carey Optical, with Olivia Little. Photo submitted

If you live in Saugeen Shores, chances are you are familiar with Olivia Little and the Liv-A-Little Foundation. The community has pulled together time and again to raise awareness and funds for Cystinosos, a rare metabolic disease that afflicts just 75 children and young adults in Canada, or 2,000 worldwide - including Olivia - but for which there is no cure.

Residents, business owners and visitors to Saugeen Shores have painted the town purple, attended golf tournaments, a Battle of the Blades skating competition and Easter egg hunts. They've eaten purple donuts at Tim Hortons, gone through car washes and donated at Rowland's Independent Grocers. They've held little bake sales and big bake sales and attended sporting events. And many small businesses have collected and donated to help find a cure.

Because Cystinosis is such a rare disease, there is no funding for research from government agencies. This means that the parents of these children have taken on the responsibility themselves. Their children’s lives literally depend on it. And every dollar raised by the Liv-A-Little Foundation goes directly to research. And with privately hired researchers and scientists, parents of these children make sure all monies raised goes to these passionate workers and every year they are getting closer to finding a cure.

In partnership with Hoya Canada, for the month of September, 10 percent of every purchase of prescription eyeglasses at Carey Optical will go to the Liv-A-Little Foundation, toward finding a cure for Cystinosis.

For more information about Cystinosis or the Liv-A-Little Foundation, visit livalittlefoundation.com.