Cedarburg community raises $4,500 for little boy with cancer
A Cedarburg High School group recently hosted a Skate-A-Thon fundraiser to help a 4-year-old boy with cancer. The event raised $4,500 for Jace Burke’s medical bills.
The Cedarburg High School Student-Athlete Leadership Council’s event brought in dozens of people to help the Burke Family. The Burke's were blown away by the turnout at Cedar Creek Park.
“It's crazy to see how many people in our community and around us and people we don't even know,” Jace’s Father TJ Burke said.
Jace has leukemia. He is relying on the help of an oxygen tank after chemotherapy took a toll on his small body and damaged his lungs, but his mom said that doesn't stop him.
“He's very resilient. Even when he doesn't feel so hot, he still wants to play and be a kid,” Jace's Mom Heather Burke said.
After setbacks and an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant, the Burke’s have turned to alternative treatments. But without the help from insurance, it’s a financial burden.
“We wanted to make it a community event so just to put the Burke family up on a pedestal to show how strong they are,” Student Rachel Priddy said.
The event let the Burke's know they're not alone in their battle.
“It could get ugly,” TJ Burke said. “It could bankrupt people. It's a scary thing to think about, but knowing everyone is helping and is behind us, it helps a lot.”