Pocono News Section

Fundraiser for Sick Boy Still Held Days After His Death

Fundraiser for Sick Boy Still Held Days After His Death - Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 10:15PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Sunday, Sep 13, 2009 @ 10:15pm EDT
EXETER, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Sadness surrounded a Luzerne County golfing event Sunday. It was planned in advance for a little boy suffering from a very rare disease. It was still held even though the child lost his life-long battle.

More than 100 golfers show up at Four Seasons golf course in Exeter. The large crowd is no surprise to loved ones of Liam Schulze. His Great Aunt Carla Ferrara said, "It's a celebration of Liam's life and we have a wonderful turnout."

People had signed up to play in the fundraiser before the tragic news Wednesday. That's when the 20-month old boy with ties to the Pittston area lost his battle with the rare blood disorder, HLH. It was a long, hard fight by a boy whose name means "Powerful Warrior."

LiamÕs Uncle (Christopher Slezak said, "He has just kept fighting and kept hanging on and just did it with utter desire and he was amazing. He was an amazing, amazing little boy."

His grandfather Stan Slezak said, "He was such a great kid. He just had a lot of spunk and a lot of energy. And he constantly, he was always smiling."

And Liam's story motivated so many to help. 1,600 people turned out earlier this year for a bone marrow drive -- part of an effort that came to be known as Liam's Lighthouse. "You know they call this, our area, the valley with a heart and it definitely is. It is unbelievable the people that have reached out to try and help and that are all, all as heartbroken as we are right now," said Ferrara.

Mark Valeski of Old Forge said, "Just to lose a little boy like that, it's sad."

This golfing fundraiser is important to Valeski who brought his 5-year-old son Zachary with him. "And I just think about my sons and if that ever happened to me I hope people would help me out, too. So, that's why I'm here, just to help out," he added.

And Stan Slezak said, "The community's been awesome. The support from people that I know and people that I don't even know. I mean, it's just been overwhelming."

Including support from a friend of Liam's grandmother who hopes the money raised will lead to research and one day, a breakthrough. Ann Marie Adonizio of Pittston Township said, "God gave us a perfect day. The sun is shining on Liam. It's a wonderful day."

Maria Ciampi Karcutskie helped organize the golfing fundraiser. Liam's family members vow to make this an annual event in the fight against HLH.