Akiva Academy rallies around family

YOUNGSTOWN — Khloe Herrick, 4, endures chemotherapy treatment two to three times per week as she battles acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Most of Khloe’s treatments for the blood and bone-marrow cancer are done at a medical office in Canfield, but a few times per month, the family travels to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.

That means expenses for gas, medical supplies and sometimes overnight stays in Cleveland in addition to bills for prescriptions, doctors and the hospital.

The children no longer are covered under Khloe’s father’s medical insurance.

Brittni Herrick, Khloe’s mom, said the family is waiting to find out what Medicaid will and won’t cover. Each treatment takes about five hours.

“The first bill we got was for $15,000,” she said.

In the meantime, Akiva Academy, where Khloe’s big brother, Camron, is in first grade, is pitching in.

Students, teachers and staff raised money selling slushies one day and gave the family the cash. They printed Team Khloe T-shirts and wear them in support.

“This fits with our mission of students with strong minds and big hearts,” said Akiva Principal Kathy Mioni.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com