Pivik Elementary School in Plum rallies around classmate, 7, battling cancer
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A Plum child got to witness support from his elementary school in regard to his cancer recovery as teachers shaved their heads Friday during an assembly.
Joey “JoeNado” Byrnes, 7, was diagnosed with leukemia in September after weeks of mysterious stomachaches, persistent coughing and a low-grade fever. He began chemotherapy Sept. 27.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was initiated by Carey Abdulovic, a close family friend, to aid the Byrnes family with medical expenses. So far, there has been a little over $8,000 raised of a $30,000 goal. To visit the site, click here.
His parents, Robert and Jean, didn’t expect to be so moved by the gesture that left five teachers and Joey’s uncle nearly bald.
“We never thought something like this could happen to our family — so to be relatively new to this district and have the warmth and support surround us has been something that I will never forget. And I know it will remain with Joe for a very long time,” said Jean Byrnes minutes after the assembly.
His mom said Joey has taken the illness well.
He has a great way of putting it: “He says he’s a Power Ranger in a suit, and that the battle is going on inside because it’s blood cancer. And the chemotherapy gives him what he needs to fight.”
To stay caught up with school work, the school district has provided the family with a home school teacher who visits their house five hours per week.
At points during the assembly, nearly all of the 730 students began chanting “shave it all” as their peers buzzed full heads of hair.
Jake Halasowski, a fourth-grade teacher at Pivik, said he decided to shave his head to show support for his “family.”
“If you’re in the family and you need help, I will find a way to show my support and do the best for you,” he said before three students took turns shaving portions of his head.
His comment aligned with the assembly’s message: “No family fights alone.”
The slogan was cheered at points during the assembly to remind Joey the school has his (and his parents’) back.
The assembly embodied a superhero theme, where students and teachers donned an orange paper wristband and others wore capes with an emblazoned “J.”
Jean Byrnes said her son is in remission but that he begins a more rigorous chemotherapy round soon. The parents said they are hopeful Joey will “ring the bell” in three years to signify his freedom of cancer.
This story has been corrected to show Joey is 7.