FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin high school senior is leading a charge against childhood cancer through her senior project, “Knights Go Gold for Childhood Cancer.”
(Photo: Four-year-old Andrew O’Neil.)
Inspired by her four-year-old cousin Andrew O’Neil who is battling a high risk neuroblastoma tumor, Franklin senior Abbey Shull is spreading awareness of the disease and raising funds for her cousin’s treatment.
The “Knights Go Gold for Childhood Cancer” event will take place on Friday, September 18, at Franklin High School during the varsity football game against Oil City where both teams will be wearing gold apparel to show their support.
The timing is appropriate — September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Spectators are also encouraged to wear gold.
The gates will open at 6:00 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. game.
The event will also include a silent and Chinese auction for items which feature a kayak, a grill, golf packages, and signed sports memorabilia from the Pirates, Steelers, and Franklin and Oil City standout athletes to raise funds.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to Andrew O’Neil’s care.
Andrew’s Story
Abbey Shull not only wants to raise awareness of childhood cancer, she also wants to help her four-year-old cousin Andrew O’Neil defeat it.
Andrew’s parents — Jaime Hagerty O’Neil and Brian O’Neil — reside in the eastern Pittsburgh region, but Jaime grew up in Franklin. Andrew also has a 7 year-old brother Matthew who absolutely adores him.
“April 15th, 2015, is a day our family will never forget. It was the day Andrew was taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Emergency Room by his parents after some ongoing symptoms that progressively worsened, and it was the night we found out Andrew had a large tumor on his kidney. The phone call my family received from my aunt telling us what was happening was one that I will never, ever forget in my lifetime,” Abbey said.
Initially, Andrew’s parents were told that they thought he had a Wilm’s tumor on his kidney and that he was going to have surgery the next day to remove his entire kidney/tumor. Later that evening, his family was informed that surgery was cancelled, and there were thoughts that the tumor might be much more involved. After surgical biopsy of the tumor and bone marrow along with many other nuclear tests/scans, it was determined that Andrew had a Stage 3, high-risk, neuroblastoma that was not operable at the present time.
This was not the news that Andrew’s parents were hoping for because it meant that he would undergo a very, very aggressive treatment plan that included 6 rounds of inpatient chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, a major surgery, stem cell harvesting/transplant therapy, radiation and maintenance retinoid therapy/immunotherapy. It is estimated that his entire treatment program will take 1 1/2 years to complete. This aggressive approach is necessary to save Andrew’s life.
On April 24, he initiated his first round of chemo and his fight began.
“On that day, so did our family’s fight begin. A fight for life, a fight to keep a family unit together, a fight for normalcy, and a fight to keep all of the things that Andrew’s parents have worked so hard to give their family,” Abbey said.
Since the costs that will be incurred with frequent hospitalizations, chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell therapy will be astronomical, Andrew’s Avengers GoFundMe was made to help Andrew and his family be able to fight this battle with less financial burden and hardship.
It will likely mean extended periods of time off of work for one or both parents and possibly even one of them needing to stay home regularly to care for Andrew through this difficult time in their lives. (Both parents currently work full-time.)
“I love my family with all my heart and soul, and our entire family will be at their side during this fight. There has been an overwhelming response and desire to help from friends, family, co-workers, and the community. This group gives everyone interested the opportunity to help when and where it is needed. Please, please, please help us help them, so they can focus all of their energy into helping Andrew beat neuroblastoma,” Shull said.
How To Help
Those looking to offer support can do so in a number of ways.
Monetary contributions can be made to Franklin-Oil Region Credit Union, Abbey Shull, c/o Knights Go Gold, 101 North 13th Street, Franklin, PA 16323.
Donations being sought to help purchase gold apparel for the football teams, cheerleaders, band members, and others for use during the “Knights Go Gold For Childhood Cancer” event.
Shull is also seeking donation of goods, services or certificates for use in the silent and Chinese auctions.
“Any donation that you feel in your heart that would help to raise funds, generate awareness towards childhood cancers, or support my cousin Andrew in his fight with neuroblastoma would be graciously accepted,” Abbey said.
