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Girl sells friendship bracelets to buy pool for friend with skin disease

Anne Marie Cox suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, a condition which causes blisters to form all over her body.

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There may be nothing better than taking a dip into crystal clear and cool waters on a sweltering hot day.

For 10-year-old Anne Marie Cox, jumping into a chlorinated swimming pool is a bit more complicated. The Arkansas girl suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, a condition which causes blisters to form all over her body.

“Any kind of friction or trauma to the skin causes the skin to blister and come off. Being out in the summertime is just not going to happen,” Anne Marie’s mother, Kandi Cox, told ABC News. “She can’t go to public pools or anything like that. She really has to be in a protected environment.”

Wanting her friend to find relief, nine-year-old Bethany Walker decided to help raise money for a saltwater therapy pool, which would help ease the pain and aide in cleansing and healing blisters and sores.

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Through her Bracelets by Bethany Facebook page, Walker was able to sell handmade rubber band bracelets. She raised an astounding $47,000 over 19 weeks, according to KATV in Arkansas.

The best part of the new saltwater pool according to Anne Marie?

“Spending time with my family,” she answered.

Because of her efforts, Walker is in the running to win a $5,000 from After School Awards, a national scholarship for community service funded by J.C. Penney and Izod.