FLUSHING -- A story of hope.
Two four year old kids in the same preschool class are battling brain cancer.
Their stories are inspirational to say the least. They've had to undergo severe stress both financially and emotionally, now the community is pitching in to help.
Four-year-old Adin Shrader loves playing games with his family, but he's been through more than most kids his age.
He’s recovering from brain cancer.
“It was the size of a golf ball; they didn't want to take all of it out, because it would make him totally paralyzed for the rest of his life,” said Dave Shrader, Adin’s father.
But Adin isn't alone in his struggle.
His classmate, four-year-old Lauren Colombo is battling brain cancer too, for the second time.
“When we found out we both cried, it was really hard to face that situation, our bodies felt numb completely, it was shocking,” said Gina Colombo, Lauren’s mother.
The sickness has taken a toll financially on both families. They've traveled hundreds of miles for doctor’s visits.
Lauren’s father, Mike Colombo took a voluntary layoff from his job at GM to get his family back on their feet.
“I thought that's a smart move because families come first, no matter what,” said Mike Colombo, Lauren’s father.
Both families say their trials have brought them closer together and every second counts.
“He was strong himself, we really didn't have to tell him anything, we just told him that he had to get pictures done with the x-rays and stuff, and he went along with it,” said Jennifer Nunnemaker, Adin’s mother.
These kids are tough.
Lauren is now undergoing proton therapy in Indiana.
“A lot of Italian in her blood, and she is a real good fighter,” said Mike Colombo.
And Adin has kept a positive attitude while learning to talk and walk all over again.
“Right now he is up to 34 pounds which is awesome, and he is eating a lot more which is great,” said Nunnemaker.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, that's why the community is putting together a fundraiser to give these families the means to do so.
The fundraiser takes place Friday at the Early Childhood Center in Flushing.
It’s from 6 to 8 p.m., and tickets are just $10.00 per family.
There will be a silent auction for the parents, food, games, and a bounce house for the kids.
To learn more about Lauren Colombo's proton therapy, check out the Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center.
