PERU — A group of residents is organizing fundraisers the next three months for an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.
Deanna Dolloff said Wednesday that her cousin, Travis Ryerson, was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that develops in bones. The cancer is centered in Ryerson’s legs.
Dolloff and six other family members and friends are planning events to help Ryerson, his mother and grandmother with costs associated with his treatment.
“Since the type of cancer he has is rare, none of the hospitals in Maine are able to treat it properly,” Dolloff said. “Right now, he’s waiting at a hospital in Boston to figure out his treatment plan, but his mother and grandmother are going to have to travel back and forth to Boston a lot. These fundraisers are to help them with medical expenses, food and gas.”
The first fundraiser will be an indoor lawn sale at the former Peru Elementary School on Main Street in Peru. Times are noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
A softball tournament will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, when teams can collectively pay $150 to participate.
Dolloff said there will be two larger fundraising events, one for children and another for adults.
“The kids’ benefit is called Sunday Fund Day, and will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at 49 Franklin in Rumford,” Dolloff said. “There’s going to be a ton of games and activities for the kids, and there will be a magic show later in the day.”
A Facebook page lists face-painting, caricature drawings, trick photography, balloon animals, juggling and magic shows for Sunday Fund Day.
The adult benefit is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Rumford Eagles hall.
“It’s going to be a Chinese auction and a concert,” Dolloff said. “The band performing is Monsta.”
Several car washes will be held in the River Valley to raise money for Ryerson, with dates to be announced.
“We’re still looking for more volunteers, so until we can lock people down, we don’t want to set anything in stone,” Dolloff said.
She said Ryerson is keeping a positive outlook.
“He’s such a happy-go-lucky kid, and he still has high spirits, even though this is happening to him,” she said. “He seems to have the right morale to deal with something like this.”
For more information on the fundraisers, or to volunteer, call Dolloff at 576-2924.
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