WAUKESHA, Wis. — Lori Williams knows a thing or two about childhood cancer. Her son Thomas is a cancer survivor and was diagnosed with leukemia when he was only 2 years old.
Williams said since his diagnosis, she’s been on a mission to raise awareness about childhood cancer research. That’s why she hosted a fundraiser at Liberty Dance Center in Waukesha in partnership with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity for childhood cancer research.
The fundraiser was A Royal Ball for St. Baldrick’s. Those in attendance had the chance to dance, get their face painted and play different games along with meeting local pageant winners.
Williams honored one special guest who currently has leukemia. Mary Schroeder was diagnosed by her doctors at the end of November. She’s only 8 years old.
“I’m feeling good,” said Mary Schroeder. “I’m feeling very good. After our friends told us we should go to this, I said, ‘okay, this would be nice.’”
Mary Schroeder loves all things pink and sparkles, so this was a special occasion she had been looking forward to.
Her mother Jennifer Schroeder said it’s a miracle to see her dance around.
“Her being able to walk, this is brand new for three days,” said Jennifer Schroeder. “Her leukemia pain is in her legs and in her bottom.”
She said Mary is going through chemotherapy and it’s been tough on her physically, but she hasn’t lost her sparkle.
She was crowned as the honored guest at the ball and accepted her tiara and sash fiercely.
“When your child is able to dress up and look beautiful and feel confident and feel good about herself and be celebrated, you can’t put words on that,” said Jennifer Schroeder. “You really can’t.”
While Mary Schroeder’s doctors said she has a couple more years left of treatment, her mother said this is a night she’ll remember to get through tough times.