Donning #LucasStrong T-shirts, members of the Kane County Board today (Tuesday, March 13, 2018) gave their heartfelt, unanimous support to a Gilberts third-grader who has shown so much courage in his battle against bone cancer.

At Tuesday’s County Board meeting and at the invitation of County Board member Kurt Kojzarek, Lucas Winarski led the County Board in the Pledge of Allegiance, just as he had on July 12, 2016.

The circumstances this time were different — and even more urgent — than they were two years ago.

Diagnosed With Bone Cancer

In the summer of 2015, when he was just 6 years old, Lucas was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Pseudomyogenic Hemangioendothelioma.

Lucas Winarski in 2016.

Lucas and his family fought back.

In March of 2016, he went through surgery to have the tumor removed, then successfully underwent four surgeries to clean out an infection.

“Lucas’ courage in the face of illness serves as an example that even the most daunting and terrifying of problems could be overcome by the resilience found within all of us,” Kojzarek said this morning.

Lucas recovered, and on July of 2016, the County Board invited him to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to celebrate a diagnosis of a clean bill of health.

New Tumor Found

Late last year, the Winarski family received word that a PET scan showed signs of a tumor growth in Lucas’ ankle.

The news was hard for Lucas’ family, friends and the Gilberts community, which has supported Lucas every step of the way. Lucas himself, however, is “undeterred,” Kojzarek said.

“Kane County’s toughest third grader is once again ready to take on cancer, and beat it for good this time,” he said.

Fundraising Efforts

In 2016, the Gilberts community came together for several fundraising efforts to help pay the endless array of bills that have come with researching, diagnosing and treating the rare cancer.

Today, the need is perhaps even greater.

Parents of Gilberts Elementary School have put together the #LucasStrong T-shirt campaign through Stellar Edge Marketing Group of West Dundee. Lucas’ classmates and fellow students will be wearing shirts identical to the ones worn by the members of the Kane County Board on Fridays throughout the school year to remind the Winarski family that they are not in this alone.

The #LucasStrong campaign “also reminds each of us to be as strong as Lucas when facing our own struggles,” Kojzarek said.

“The Kane County Board is honored to be joined by the Winarski family again,” he said today. “We believe in Lucas, and pray for his good health and bright future ahead.”

If you are interested in purchasing a #LucasStrong T-shirt please visit www.stellaredgegroup.com/lucasstrong. All proceeds will be donated to the Winarski Family.

You may also donate through his Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/TeamLucasW.

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