Basketball benefit set for cancer patient

The Churchville-Chili Leo's Club, a youth service organization related to the Lion's Club International, has planned a benefit to help schoolmate, Daniel Myslivecek, who is fighting a rare form of cancer. They've organized a basketball benefit where they will challenge their Lion's Club counterparts to help raise money for Daniel's costly treatments. The event is Sunday, March 5 from 12:30 until 2 p.m. in the C-C Intermediate School gym.

Myslivecek, a sophomore, has been diagnosed with a skin cancer, stage IV Metastatice Melanoma, which is rare in teens. He has been through various treatments beginning at Golisano's Children's Hospital and subsequently with several trips to the University of Colorado Medical Center. Most recently he went to Colorado during the second week of January for a third round of biochemotherapy, a treatment normally given to patients who are at least 18 years old. The Myslivecek family said each visit costs around $35,000 but health insurance pays 80 percent. The family is considering clinical trials in New Brunswick, Canada and Switzerland for future treatment options.

"Daniel is a fighter and stays upbeat despite all the side effects of the treatments and his cancer," his family says. He made the honor roll despite missing 21 days during the fall semester.

Cheer on the Leo Club on Sunday, March 5 or to make a donation, contact Mary Rugg at mrugg@cccsd.org.

February 26, 2006