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McGuffey Elementary students celebrate a young hero fighting blood cancer
YOUNGSTOWN
William Holmes McGuffey Elementary students celebrated a young hero fighting blood cancer Friday afternoon.
“When we are brave, we change cancer,” students chanted, cheering on Landen Fitzgerald-Green, 7.
Landen was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2015 after he fell down the stairs, he said.
“After Landen fell, he couldn’t walk anymore and for weeks no one knew what was wrong,” said Landen’s mother, Lisa Green. “After a few weeks, the doctors ran blood tests which showed Landen had cancer in his blood.”
Landen is through 21/2 years of chemotherapy with one year to go.
Green said despite the long road ahead of them, Landen is in high spirits thanks to those supporting them.
“As a mom, when your kid doesn’t have a voice, it’s hard because you’re their voice,” Green said. “Seeing all of these other kids get aware of something about their classmate is indescribable.”
Erin Zaranec, student series campaign specialist for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Northern Ohio, helped the McGuffey family kick off Pennies for Patients, a program that helps raise money for research into life-saving treatments for blood-cancer patients.
After Zaranec gave an easy-to-understand presentation about Landen’s illness, students were encouraged to take home collection boxes to fill with change as part of the fundraiser.
The fundraiser runs at McGuffey from Nov. 27 through Dec. 15.
Although Landen is often thought of as a hero of his classmates, Green said it’s his classmates who are the heroes.
“You guys inspire us,” Green told students. “You stood by him when no one else did, and we could not be more grateful.”
Landen’s father, Walter Green, said he is just happy the school has helped spread awareness about Landen and his disease.
“It really has helped us gain support,” said Lisa Green.
During the event, the Green family received the following gift cards: $250 for Walmart, $50 for Target, $50 for Giant Eagle and $100 for American Express.
In addition, Landen got letters from the McGuffey Elementary staff, a 5-pound Hershey bar, a superhero cape and an “Our Hero” biography sheet.
To donate to Landen and his family, click HERE