Fundraiser Announced for Local Student

Sven Ritter was diagnosed with leukemia at 4-years old and he will be on a continued chemotherapy treatment until 2012, a total of 3 1/2 years.

A key factor in keeping Sven healthy is a controlled environment. He is currently a student at Prince of Peace School in Sayville and the school had been a great support system for Sven and his family.

"Being at the school has provided a close knit family of protectors for Sven through teachers and staff at his school, limiting the amount of exposure he has to childhood illness that is life threatening for Sven and providing the basis or religions education," said Pamela Burner, Sven's grandmother. "At Sven's diagnosis a year ago, my daughter Sarah and her husband Christian knew that life would change drastically and new decisions would need to made. One of their decisions was to try and maintain as normal a life for Sven as possible and to introduce a religions education."

The continued financial burden has brought the family to ask for support. The medical expenses, not covered by insurance, over the next 3 1/2 years are estimated at over $150,000. They are also raising money to help support his education.

A fundraiser is being held at the August 1 performance of Footloose at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center, located at 931 Montauk Highway in Oakdale. Tickets are $22 and can be picked up at the door. Please call 244-3971 for tickets. If anyone is interested in donating, donations should be made to St. John's Church, 1 Berard Boulevard, Oakdale, NY 11769.