Excerpts from DailyHerald.com:
Every year, the nonprofit organization Operation North Pole transforms the ballroom at Rosemont’s Donald E. Stephens Convention Center into a magical winter wonderland, specifically for children with serious and terminal illnesses and their families. This heartwarming event started with nearly 70 families boarding a train at the Metra station in Des Plaines and heading to Crystal Lake. On the return trip, police officers, firefighters, and local residents lined up along the tracks, cheering as the decorated train passed by each stop.
Once at the convention center, the kids and their families walked through a long line of police officers and firefighters, who knelt down and clapped as the children entered the ballroom. The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter, and a sense of warmth that only this kind of event can bring.
One of the special guests at the event was 10-year-old Jonathan Suerth, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age 5. This progressive muscle-wasting disease often leads to a life expectancy of less than 20 years. His mother, Margo Davison, shared how difficult the early days were. “In the beginning, it was very depressing,†she said. “You don’t even know what the point of living is anymore. You get angry, but over time you learn to enjoy every possible moment.â€
Jonathan, who uses an electric wheelchair, loves making people laugh, filming YouTube videos, and playing video games. He doesn’t make a Christmas list because he prefers surprises, though his mom mentioned he did hint at wanting an Xbox One. If Santa doesn’t deliver, there are plenty of other gifts waiting for him and the other children. Volunteers signed up to adopt gift lists for each child, and together they purchased around $50,000 worth of presents.
“For some of these families, their child’s diagnosis is already terminal,†said one volunteer, Crossin. “They may not see another Christmas together. It’s our job to make this one unforgettable and create as many memories as we can.â€
Margo hopes for a cure for her son’s condition. While the FDA has approved a treatment for earlier stages of the disease, there’s still no effective drug for those in more advanced stages. “I’m hoping they find a solution before it’s too late for him,†she said. “If not, as long as he’s happy, that’s all I could ask for.â€
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