Community Corner

Pint-Sized Cancer Survivor Inspires RHS St. Baldrick's Team

Students raise money, shave heads to fight kids' cancer.

When members of ’s team "We Baldin” get ready to have their heads shaved at the school’s March 23 St. Baldrick’s Day event, they’ll have plenty of motivation.

Cheering them on at the St. Patrick’s Day-themed fundraiser will be 4-1/2-year-old Gerald Joy of Romeoville, a reminder to the team of what the event is all about.

As a leukemia survivor, the pint-sized hero will serve as the team’s VIP.

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“I was quite excited,” mom Sue Joy said of being asked to take part in the event, which raises money to fight children’s cancer. Her husband, also named Gerald, and older son Jack plan to get their heads shaved as part of the event.

Gerald was just 2 years old when Sue began to suspect something was amiss back in late 2009.

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“I noticed something was not right with him,” she said. The typically bubbly, energetic toddler who loved to play outside began growing weary after playing for just a short time.

After Gerald’s dentist noted that the tot was very pale, Sue took him to immediate care at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

“They knew something was not right with his bloodwork,” she said.

Gerald was taken via ambulance to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).

Although ALL has a higher cure rate than other types of leukemia, Sue said she and her husband learned that the cancer cells contained the Philadelphia chromosome, making it more likely that the cancer would return. That meant a bone marrow transplant was Gerald's best chance for recovery.

Luckily, big brother Jack was a match.

In December 2009, Gerald underwent a bone marrow transplant, spending more than a month in the hospital.

This December marked two years since his transplant, and the tot remains cancer free.

“He’s going great,” Sue said. “The nice part is that because he was so young, he doesn’t know what happened to him … He’s a normal 4-year-old playing and running.”

Brother Jack had a better understanding of what happened, she said.

“He knows he saved his brother’s life,” Sue said. “He is our little hero.”

Sue said the family was able to stay at the Kohl’s House near Children’s Memorial to be closer to Gerald after his transplant. The entire family — including Gerald, Jack and little sister Jessica, age 2 — also received a trip to Disney last year, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Last summer, Sue said the family hosted a bean bags tournament to raise money as a way of giving back. The event netted $10,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“We felt the need to give back because of all the help we got,” Sue said.

So when Gerald was asked to be the VIP for team We Baldin, the family didn’t hesitate.

“It’s kind of right up our alley,” Sue said. “He is living proof that cancer research is a great thing. This all would not be possible [without it].” 

Support We Baldin

Community members can help in its efforts to raise money for cancer research by attending the “Peg a Cop” dodgeball tournament from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at the , 900 W. Romeo Rd. Admission is just $1 at the door, and the event offers raffles and a bake sale.

To make a donation online, visit the team’s page on the St. Baldrick’s website by clicking here.


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