Chippewa Falls (WQOW) - Sand volleyball brought area citizens to Loopy's Sunday as part of a
benefit for an Elk Mound girl battling cancer. Josie Gorell
is ten years old and has fought cancer since her first diagnosis came a couple
months before her 2nd birthday. She was there today as teams took the courts to
show their support.
"It's not good, they gave us a life expectancy of 9-12 months,"
said Josie's mother Lori Gorell.
She
has a tumor between her optic nerves, which has required chemotherapy in
addition to surgery.
"The surgery was a success, they got the cyst and more tumor than
they expected, but unfortunately shortly after Christmas we found out that the
tumor was no longer low grade. It had mutated into a stage four PXA," Lori
said.
Those
medical expenses can add up.
"She's been going through speech therapy, and occupational therapy
to regain some of her speech, and her right side," said Lori.
Volleyball
players from around the Chippewa Valley were at Loopy's, playing in a
tournament that was part of a benefit for Josie.
"She gets to interact, and meet friends and teachers and everyone.
Family too, extended family will come up visiting too, so she's enjoying it a
lot," her father Chuck said.
For people participating in the event, it's a chance to play the game
for a good cause.
"For me not to come out would be
pretty much selfish. Josie is such a giving person and her family has just been
amazing in the time that I've known them. She would do anything, Josie would.
Even this morning she wasn't feeling good but she wanted to help out as much as
she can. She donated her hair a month ago for Locks of Love. She's the one sick,
but she's the one giving back," said Molly Stewart, a cousin of the
family.
The
event is one of three benefits for Josie. A garden tour is scheduled for next Sunday.
In addition to the volleyball, there was a raffle held and jewelry made by Josie
was sold at the event.
