Garrett Adams, a student at J.M Grasse Elementary School in Sellersville, went on a $100 shopping spree Oct. 11 courtesy of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Burlington Stores in Hatfield.
Shortly after Garrett’s second birthday, his parents began to worry when he started experiencing unusual symptoms such as back pain, loss of appetite and trouble walking. It wasn’t long before they brought him to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to see what was wrong.
After undergoing several tests, Garrett was diagnosed with leukemia and began aggressive treatment right away.
Today, Garrett, 8, is an active third-grader and has been in remission for two years. Despite several side effects and countless hospital visits over the years, he continues to keep a positive attitude and push through with indescribable bravery. He has had to work extra hard to keep up with schoolwork as best he could and he continues to beat the odds. He recently made his local little league all-star baseball team and wants to be a professional baseball player when he grows up.
“Garrett has proven to everyone around him just how strong he really is,” said Garrett’s mom. “He never gives up and continues to fight of his life. He is truly a hero and inspires me every day.”
More than 6,000 school-age kids are affected by blood cancers each year. Returning to school after cancer treatment is part of that return to normalcy that these kids crave; it can also make the child wonder if he will be accepted by his classmates again as a friend.
As part of a nationwide initiative to bring smiles and confidence to childhood cancer survivors heading back to school this fall, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which funds blood cancer research and lifesaving treatments, teamed up with Burlington Stores to offer these child survivors $100 in new clothes.
In addition, through Dec. 1, in more than 640 Burlington stores nationwide, customers are encouraged to donate $1 or more at checkout to support LLS’s goal to create a world without blood cancer.
The partnership has raised more than $32 million to date.
