Young Leukemia Patient Seeks Toys For Riley
WARSAW — Madison Elementary School first-grader Jett Bender-Roe is asking everyone for toys this holiday season, but they are not for him.
In July, 2014, Bender-Roe was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His family sought treatment at Riley Children’s Hospital, South Bend. While he was there Bender-Roe found he had no shortage of toys and games to enjoy, donated by members of the community with an interest in Riley’s mission.
“There were so many people reaching out to him and giving him gifts and fun toys to distract him,” Bender-Roe’s mom, Justine Roe, said. “The hospital always had fun things for him to do and it was always in the back of our family’s mind to give back when he was in a more stable place.”
Bender-Roe is doing much better this year and, while he is still in what Roe called a “maintenance phase,” he still travels to Riley for regular treatments. His next trip down is set for Monday, Dec. 21, and this time, he plans to arrive loaded with toys.
“Since I get toys from Riley, and my mom and dad get to buy me toys and some children don’t have moms that can afford that much money for Legos and nice toys, I think it would be good to send toys to Riley,” Bender-Roe said of his project.
The response has been good so far. Members of the community have begun donating as they follow Bender-Roe’s Facebook page, Jett’s Update Page.
For Bender-Roe, the project is all about blessing his fellow Riley patients in the same way he was blessed last year over the holiday season.
“It meant a lot to me that all my friends from preschool wanted to give me toys since I was in the hospital,” Bender-Roe said. “It helped take my mind off of things when people sent me toys and all that. It got my mind off all the meds that I had to take.”
A collection box will be located at Anointed Beauty Salon, formerly the location of Think Young. Items sought include toys, games, silly socks and video games. These items can be for any age, infant through teen. The family is asking for only new, unwrapped toys and games.
“From a health standpoint, we have to make sure things are brand new and clean,” Roe said.
For those who would like to help but are not sure what to give, monetary donations are also welcome.
“Some people are just donating money, so Jett gets to go shopping,” Roe said. “He thinks that’s pretty cool.”
Every item helps, Roe said.
“From the standpoint of being a family in that situation, you’re really happy to have those things,” she said. “It takes the focus off the scary things that are happening.”