Ethan Hallmark’s journey with sickness began as a simple stomach ache, which gradually became worse. After visiting doctors, his mother learned Ethan had a massive tumor sitting in his abdomen, and he was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma*.

Student Council has chosen to sponsor Ethan Hallmark, age 10, making him the “adoptee” of this year’s L.U.C.K. Week  (Legacy United in Caring and Kindness) March 7-11.

“The treatment is daunting, but we have faith in God and know He will never give us more than we can handle,” Ethan’s mom said. “We absolutely know that God hears our prayers and that He loves our son.”

For the past 34 days, Ethan has been in the hospital recovering from a bone marrow transplant. For 30 of those days he was not allowed to be around most other children, including his brothers over Christmas. Because of his treatment Ethan’s parents have not seen their two smaller sons in weeks, possibly months, because the risk for infection is too high.

“Ethan has to be one of the strongest young men I know,” Ethan’s neighbor, Mrs. Shackelford said. “He has had to endure more physical and emotional pain than most of us could imagine.”

Mrs. Schimming has decided to let the Student Council officers take on the responsibility of designing fundraisers to raise money for LUCK week.

“I think it will be a great opportunity to help a boy and his family in need,” junior class secretary Rafael Garza said.

[see Ethan’s Caring Bridge website here]

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*Neuroblastoma is a cancer which tends to affect the nerve cells in various parts of the body. In stage four, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, in Ethan’s case the bone marrow. The five-year relative survival rate is 15%. Neuroblastoma is the most common type of cancer in infants. Males are affected by neuroblastoma slightly more commonly than females. Children who are diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma are considered high risk.

Ethan’s treatment plan consists of five months of chemotherapy. He stays in the hospital for six days out of the month, five of which the chemo is administered. Ethan will have surgery to remove the tumor followed by another round of chemo. He will also undergo stem cell transplants which require extensive stays in the hospital and will be followed by radiation and six months of immunotherapy.