Originally reported by ABC15, you can read the full story on their website.
Legacy Traditional School – Glendale 4th grader Kaedyn Derke received the send-off of a lifetime from his classmates and teachers.
Kaedyn was born with a rare genetic disorder called Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), which has resulted in the need for a second bone marrow transplant, following one he had as a baby. To prepare for surgery, Kaedyn has to quarantine, meaning he has to leave in the middle of the school year, but Legacy made sure to send him off in-style.
Legacy Glendale came together for a one-of-a-kind pep-rally to send Kaedyn off and show support. It featured some of his favorites, like SpongeBob and even a special appearance from the Phoenix Suns Gorilla.
“It felt amazing,” Kaedyn told ABC15. “This day was big and special.”
Legacy Glendale principal Megan Cote helped organize the pep rally after hearing Kaedyn’s story. Not only was she able to rally the school to provide emotional support, but it also served as a lesson in kindness. The whole school was able to come together to support someone battling an illness that most people can only imagine.
“We had a whole lesson on kindness and kind of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes,” Cote told ABC15.
This surprise sendoff helped provide a light for his family, who has been supporting Kaedyn throughout his life and are optimistic this treatment will help.
“He has lots of fevers,” Kaedyn’s mother Cortneay told ABC15. “When that happens, he has to go to the hospital. Usually, he’s inpatient. There’s been a lot of scary times where he had to be on a ventilator…I would trade places with him if I could.”
Cortneay shared more about the battle Kaedyn has been going through on their GoFundMe page. CGD affected his immune system, resulting in secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which necessitated the first bone marrow transplant at just one year old.
Him and his family have been battling since, and the second bone marrow transplant provides hope for a healthy future.
“Right now, our world revolves around getting Kaedyn through this transplant safely. This journey involves intensive treatment, hospital stays, and a long recovery,” Cortneay wrote on GoFundMe. “My priority is being right there beside my boy, holding his hand, comforting him through the scary moments, and reminding him every single day how loved he is.”
The family is asking for donations to help not only with medical care, but keeping up with other bills and expenses as they navigate this difficult situation.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for loving Kaedyn, for supporting our family, and for helping us through one of the hardest chapters of our lives,” Cortneay continued. “Every prayer, every kind word, every share, and every donation means more than you will ever know. We are so grateful for the people who continue to stand beside our boy and remind us that we are not alone.”
To donate to Kaedyn’s GoFundMe page, click here.