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Community Corner

Friends Hold Benefit for Young Cancer Patient

Three-year-old Leland Erickson receives a proclamation from the Mayor and donation from senior citizen group.

Three-year-old was too sick to come to his own fundraising benefit Wednesday night, but that didn’t stop friends and strangers alike from coming together to raise money for the young cancer survivor.

Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews was on hand to read a proclamation calling Wednesday, May 25, “Leland Erickson Day” in Kennesaw.

“This is a great event, and I’m happy to be here to make this proclamation today,” said Mathews, encouraging those in attendance to be generous with their giving.

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Leland was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia called acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, when he was 8-months-old. Friends of his mom, Sara, came out in force to listen to music from two live bands, eat barbecue and raise money for treatment for his central line infusion to try to get his immune system to rebound.

“This is amazing,” said Sara Erickson as she watched people stream into a park located within the Legacy Park neighborhood in Kennesaw. “All of this support for my son – and most of these people don’t even know him.”

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Sara has three other children and has been fighting to keep her three-year-old alive, she said. Leland hit his lifetime maximum on their health insurance and insurance will no longer cover his infusions, she said. 

“He has no chance without his immune system,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. “We have to strengthen that system.”

Laura Catlin was the event organizer and knows the Ericksons through their mutual synagogue, Congregation Ner Tamid in Kennesaw. “Our goal tonight is to raise $20,000,” said Catlin. “When it comes to cancer treatments, it’s never really enough.”

Catlin said a silent auction included items like a bi-plane ride for two, Theatre in the Square tickets, and even a three-month fitness membership. Photographer Melissa Gibson captured the evening in pictures, while musical bands Yacht Rock Revue and Nicholas Jude McElroy performed as a contribution to the event. “These are all volunteers and people who really care about Leland and his family,” said Catlin.

John Husselman, president of the Legacy Park Senior Group, presented Sara with a check for $200 to go toward medical costs for her son. “We raised this money from the sale of corn last year at our Legacy Park Fourth of July Celebration,” Husselman said. “We didn’t know what we’d do with it until we heard about Leland, and now we want to give it to Sara.”

To donate or learn more about Leland and his cancer fight, please visit www.loveofleland.com or e-mail help@loveofleland.com.

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