Local Boy Chases Donations For Friend's Sister With Cancer
By Kristen Johanson
LANGHORNE, Pa. (CBS) - A determined Bucks County boy is raising money for his best friend's sister who was diagnosed with cancer.
11-year-old Ryan Tarapchak of Langhorne runs three to eight miles every day for six-year-old Isabella O'Brien, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer of the connective tissue.
"Every time I run, I just think in my mind that I just hope she gets better, and all of the pain she's going through," he said.
"Ryan kept saying, 'ya know, I want to donate money. She is really getting sick'," says Ryan's mother, Janine. "Then he would come home and say 'she lost all of her hair, I feel really bad, she has to wear wigs.' And I said, 'well let's think of something else, maybe we can think of something better'."
They developed the idea for Ryan to run every day for 30 days, and ask people to donate to encourage him. All the money raised goes to Isabella and her family, to help alleviate medical costs.
Janine says Isabella's family found a lump on her they thought was there because she fell at a skating party, but it turns out it was more:
"In 48 hours, their entire life went from this healthy, normal little girl that was in school and going to a roller skating party, and now she has cancer. Can you imagine?"
So far, they've raised more than $10,000.
"I hope we get up to $11,000, and I want to say thank you to all the donors who donated," said Ryan.
Janine is proud of her son's giving spirit:
"If we can help that, even a little, to help a little bit so they don't have to worry about the bills and everything, than I wish everybody could help."
To donate to Ryan's cause CLICK HERE,or to learn more about Isabella's story, CLICK HERE.
