Lil Bub, Social Media Darling Cat, Coming To Rocky River

ROCKY RIVER, OH — Social media darling, and adorable kitty, Lil Bub will be coming to Rocky River on October 6 as part of a fundraiser for local animal advocacy groups and to make a wish come true for a special teenager.

Lil Bub was the runt of a feral litter, according to her website. She was found in a tool shed in Indiana and immediately needed special medical attention. Her owner stuck with her, helped her overcome her challenges, and eventually made her a star.

Lil Bub now has millions of followers on social media, has published a book (under her name, anyways), has been on talk shows and has raised money for animal groups across the nation. So why is this celebrity coming to Rocky River?

The social media darling and her owner, Mike, will raising money for Tails from the City, a local organization that aids cats. While they're in town, Lil Bub will also be making a dream come true for a Northeast Ohio child.

Making Dreams Come True

Through A Special Wish Foundation's Cleveland chapter, Paige, a girl that survived a brain tumor as a baby, will get to meet one of her heroes — Lil Bub. Paige was a 9-month-old baby girl when her family discovered she had a brain tumor located between her pituitary gland and her optic nerves. Doctors decided Paige needed immediate surgery and she underwent a 9-hour procedure. The operation was a success.

Paige's procedure was followed by 18 months of chemotherapy treatments. She then endured several more surgeries, including spinal drains, the insertion of feeding tubes, and chemo ports. Through it all, Paige remained a strong, happy baby.

A few months after her first birthday, Paige was able to leave the hospital and go home. She has continued to improve ever since. At 2 years old she completed her chemo regimen, and what little remains of her tumor has been stable ever since. While she lost all pituitary function, and most of her vision, Paige has grown into a strong, capable woman.

Paige is now a rising high school junior. She studies in several advanced classes and consistently finds herself on the honor roll. "She loves life, learning, and enjoys having an amazing group of supportive friends. She is also a huge Lil Bub fan," A Special Wish Foundation said in a statement.

Paige and her mom will get a special meet-and-greet time with Lil Bub and her owner, Mike, while the duo are in town.

Lil Bub will then be the guest of honor at a fundraising event on October 6. Guests can sip bubbly (with Lil Bub) and hear the story of one of the Internet's favorite cats. Tickets for the event are limited and will soon be sold out.

Buy a ticket for the event here.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Photos from Tails from the City