‘Hero:’ Orland Park Boy With Cancer Thinks of Others

Connor Ruisz's mother calls him her hero.   

"At 3 years old he swallows pills, does everything the doctors ask him to do and never complains," said Katy Ruisz. "He has faced so much more in these seven months than any child should have to."

Connor also appreciates simple joys. After seven months of rigorous treatments for cancer, he had one simple request from the people at Make a Wish Foundation, “to go home.”

During the most recent car ride home from the hospital, Connor said to his mother "me love my house, me love my bed, me love my brothers." 

Near the end of 2010, Connor started feeling nauseous and was treated for the flu, which at first seemed to be the cause. Several weeks later, he was still sick with nausea and headaches. The doctor suggested he have an MRI. 

On January 21st, doctors found a tumor was causing Connor's discomfort. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called Medulloblastoma. A few days later, he went into surgery to remove the tumor from his brain. This preceded a non-stop routine of ongoing medical care, including chemotherapy, radiation, blood transfusions and routine doctor visits at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

With medical bills adding up, family and friends of Connor's have organized a fundraiser July 9 at 115 Bourbon Street.

Costs for treatment, medication and therapy far exceed what the Ruisz family is able to bear, and that is only one aspect of their lives that has been affected.

Life Altering

Before Connor’s diagnosis, summers were spent taking random trips to Lake Shafer for some fun in the sun. These trips are no longer possible because "every day is unpredictable. We never know what to expect next," said Beth Bigott, Connor's aunt. 

She said that Connor can "no longer go to parties, stores or even enjoy swimming with his brothers."

Katy Ruisz took a leave of absence from work in order to be by her son's side. Family and friends have stepped in to help care for Connor’s two brothers, Zach, 7 and Sean, 2.

Michael Ruisz, Connor's father, drives back and forth to the city so that he, Zach and Sean can spend time with Connor and Katy.

The trying time has brought out a lot of kindness from those around Connor, Katy Ruisz said.

"We would love to thank all of our family and friends,” she said. “So many people have stepped up in so many ways. People are so generous and amazing."

Concerned for Others

"He is in the hospital more than he is home,” Katy said about Connor. “With the treatments he is going through now he is required to stay close to the hospital. So he only gets home about one week a month." 

Even when Connor is able to be home with his family, he has appointments multiple times per week at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Throughout all he has been through, Connor remains focused on those around him.

When he was first diagnosed and his mom was having a hard time dealing with the news, he turned to her and said, "me going to be ok mommy." 

How You Can Help

The Cure 4 Connor Benefit will be held at 115 Bourbon Street in Merionette Park on Saturday, July 9th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased prior to the event and are $25/adult and $10/children. Tickets at the door cost $30/adult and $10/children. Children 5 and under are admitted for free. 

Tickets include full buffet dinner, beer, wine, pop and water. A live band, "The Coolionies," will be performing as well as a DJ.

Comedian and Author Tracy DeGraaf will be the MC of the event. There will be a clown, face painting, games and more to keep the kids happy. 

For tickets and information, the Cure 4 Connor Committee can be reached be emailing Cure4Connor@gmail.com or calling 708-710-0972.  

If you cannot make it to the benefit but would like to help, monetary donations are being accepted at:

Archer Bank
c/o Cure 4 Connor
3435 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655