CLINTON — Food, kids’ games, a silent auction, and fun in a family-friendly atmosphere will be featured at the Connor Gracyalny Benefit to be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the St. Stephen Parish Family Center. Parishioners and the public are especially invited to the event.
Ten-year-old Connor, son of Michelle and John Gracyalny, St. Stephen parishioners, has been undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) for the past 10 months. He was diagnosed September 30, 2013, with the disease, which is a type of cancer of the white blood cells.
According to his mother, the disease is now in remission. His treatments at American Family Children‘s Hospital in Madison are going well, and his prognosis is excellent. Treatments are scheduled about every three weeks and will continue for another year and a half.The benefit will help defray costs of the ongoing treatment, including trips to Madison, explained St. Stephen parishioner Jana Henschler, who is one of those planning the benefit.
Connor played kickball this summer and also plays soccer. He likes math and is a Denver Broncos fan — “because he likes Peyton Manning,” said Michelle, his mother. He attends St. Stephen Parish’s religious education program.
Michelle said she noticed that “Connor seemed very pale last year, and tests revealed the cancer. After a long time of worry and the initial shock, our life is in a fairly normal routine now,” said Michelle. Connor has two brothers.
Connor is the grandson of Linda and Randy Gracyalny. Well-known for many music performances, Randy is the director of music and liturgy at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Beloit. Linda is part of the OLA music ministry and also provides piano accompaniment for St. Stephen’s 5 p.m. Masses.
Henschler said, “We have a large number of people who have stepped up to get involved in this benefit for Connor. We all are humbled by the wonderful generosity of people and businesses.”
The benefit includes a photo booth — “We hope kids will have their picture taken with Connor,” she said. Also, orange T-shirts with the ALL slogan will be sold.
Henschler said donations of items for the silent auction are welcome up until the benefit begins. “We appreciate gift certificates, baskets, and other nice items,” she said.
For information about the benefit, contact her by email at hen [email protected] or phone at 608-289-1717.