7-year-old cancer survivor to be honored at Chicago fundraiser ...

A seven-year-old leukemia survivor from Plainfield will be honored tonight in Chicago at a Leukemia Lymphoma Society fundraiser.

Emilio Ruiz, who was three when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocyctic Leukemia, has been named the Leukemia Lymphoma Society?s ?Boy of the Year.?? Ruiz shared his story at several fundraising events this year, helping raise money that will benefit cancer research, said society spokeswoman Jessica Hatcher.

Ruiz, a first grader at Wesmere Elementary School, finished chemotherapy treatment one month ago and so far has shown signs that he is free of cancer, said his mother, Theresa.

?It?s a challenge some days. More than half his life has been spent with cancer treatment,? she said.

Ruiz still faces monthly checkups at a Chicago hospital, but his? family is preparing to adapt to a ?new normal,? free from the walls of? a hospital and harsh chemotherapy drugs, Theresa Ruiz said.

Hatcher said about 350 guests at the gala Friday will see a video of Emilio?s story and he and his family will be recognized at the event.

Emilio is excited to stay at the hotel where the gala is being held, said his mother, who will speak at the event. Advocating for cancer research means maybe one day other little boys won?t have to face the challenges Emilio has tackled, she said.

?Cancer?s not selective,? said Theresa Ruiz. ?It can happen to anyone. I never thought it would happen to our family.?

Article source: http://triblocal.com/plainfield/2011/05/20/7-year-old-cancer-survivor-to-be-honored-at-chicago-fundraiser/

A seven-year-old leukemia survivor from Plainfield will be honored tonight in Chicago at a Leukemia Lymphoma Society fundraiser.

Emilio Ruiz, who was three when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocyctic Leukemia, has been named the Leukemia Lymphoma Society?s ?Boy of the Year.?? Ruiz shared his story at several fundraising events this year, helping raise money that will benefit cancer research, said society spokeswoman Jessica Hatcher.

Ruiz, a first grader at Wesmere Elementary School, finished chemotherapy treatment one month ago and so far has shown signs that he is free of cancer, said his mother, Theresa.

?It?s a challenge some days. More than half his life has been spent with cancer treatment,? she said.

Ruiz still faces monthly checkups at a Chicago hospital, but his? family is preparing to adapt to a ?new normal,? free from the walls of? a hospital and harsh chemotherapy drugs, Theresa Ruiz said.

Hatcher said about 350 guests at the gala Friday will see a video of Emilio?s story and he and his family will be recognized at the event.

Emilio is excited to stay at the hotel where the gala is being held, said his mother, who will speak at the event. Advocating for cancer research means maybe one day other little boys won?t have to face the challenges Emilio has tackled, she said.

?Cancer?s not selective,? said Theresa Ruiz. ?It can happen to anyone. I never thought it would happen to our family.?

Article source: http://triblocal.com/plainfield/2011/05/20/7-year-old-cancer-survivor-to-be-honored-at-chicago-fundraiser/

Source: http://www.fundraisingfirms.com/7-year-old-cancer-survivor-to-be-honored-at-chicago-fundraiser/

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