Nov 24, 2012 / 15:07 pm
Kids can still hope in the future, even if a life-threatening illness makes that future uncertain at best. Just ask Joel.
The 2-year-old from Holland was in an Arizona hospital Nov. 8 for treatment. He faces stage 4 neuroblastoma and the treatment success rate is not as strong back home.
Two days later, Joel still had a tube in his nose. That didn't stop him from smiling big during a pony ride at the third annual "HopeKids Day," a carnival-like event hosted by Notre Dame Preparatory students for all families registered with HopeKids Arizona.
More than 700 people, including student government volunteers and Notre Dame's principal, swarmed campus for the afternoon festival Nov. 10. The Saints' school became a playground filled with bouncy houses, games, crafts, rock climbing plus a coloring station and train rides.