From excerpts on DailyHerald.com:
A group of volunteers from Operation North Pole transformed the grand ballroom at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont into a magical winter wonderland for kids battling serious and terminal illnesses and their families. This heartwarming event began with nearly 70 families boarding a train at the Metra station in Des Plaines and traveling to Crystal Lake. As they returned, the decorated train was greeted by cheering police officers, firefighters, and local residents at each stop.
Once back, the children and their families made their way to the convention center. As they entered the ballroom, they were welcomed by a line of smiling police officers and firefighters kneeling and applauding them. Ten-year-old Johnathan Suerth, diagnosed at five with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which leads to muscle deterioration, is among those attending. His mom, Margo Davison, shared that most individuals with this condition rarely live past their early twenties.
"In the beginning, it was incredibly disheartening," Davison explained. "You lose hope and feel anger, but over time, you learn to cherish every single moment." Johnathan, who uses an electric wheelchair, finds joy in making others laugh, creating YouTube videos, and gaming. Although he didn't make a Christmas list, he mentioned wanting an Xbox One, according to Davison.
If Santa doesn't deliver the sought-after gaming console, the children will still receive plenty of gifts. Volunteers signed up to adopt wish lists for each child and spent around $50,000 purchasing presents.
"For some of these families, their child's diagnosis is already terminal," said Crossin. "They may not experience another Christmas together. It's our responsibility to make it special and help them create as many cherished memories as possible."
Davison dreams of finding a cure for her son's illness. While the FDA has approved medication for earlier stages, no drugs exist yet for those with advanced cases.
"I'm hopeful they discover something before it's too late for him," she expressed. "But if they can't, as long as he remains content, that's all I could ever wish for."
Thanks, Dan.
This event truly highlights the power of community and the importance of cherishing moments, especially during the holiday season.
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