As the holidays approached, the Lacey family of Clarkston happily received one of the most precious gifts they cold hope for: a newborn baby boy. Spencer Lacey was born to Paul and Renee on Oct. 23. Only a few days later, however, the family’s joy was halted when Spencer began showing signs of health problems.
Spencer went from the delivery room to the operating room, where doctors at Children’s Hospital in Detroit determined he had neuroblastoma, with a tumor ‘the size of a baseball? pushing on his stomach.
Despite the chaotic few weeks that followed, Renee said doctors have expressed confidence that Spencer will make a full recovery over time.
‘It was hard initially but we’ve kind of adapted,? Renee said.
But that means months of chemotherapy leading up to surgery. Spencer was finally able to come home after spending the first month of his life in the hospital, but he continues to require special treatment.
‘It’s been a long road and we have a long way to go,? Renee said. ‘He’s doing really well. It’s going to be a long road but he’ll get there.?
When Spencer returns to Children’s Hospital, his family, including his parents and 2-year-old sister Eloise, have stayed at Ronald McDonald House, a national establishment that provides nearby housing for the families of hospitalized children.
‘It’s truly a lot of work, but babies are a lot of work to begin with,? Renee said.
Throughout the family’s ordeal, a lot of people asked if there is anything they can do to help. The sad truth is they really cannot, she said.
While the doctors continue to work with Spencer, the family’s needs are met by Ronald McDonald House and Eloise’s daycare, Lil? People’s Place. So, when people ask what they can do to help, Renee tells them to donate to the people at Ronald McDonald House.
Renee said the staff at Lil? People’s Place suggested holding a charity drive during the holiday season.
‘The Ronald McDonald House has done a lot for the Laceys,? said Carrie Stiles, assistant director of Lil People’s Place One. Stiles said even though the Lacey family might not want the attention, it seemed like the right thing to do, to help out the organization that was helping one of their families.
The result was a two-part charity drive, one hosted by Lil? People’s Place and the other by the Lacey family themselves, starting on Dec. 4. The goal is to bring in enough toy donations for children up to age 18 to fill their daycare’s buses. Non-perishable food items and monetary donations are also being accepted, and all the donations will go to the children and families staying in the Ronald McDonald House by Children’s Hospital.
Stiles said they have already received a few boxes of donations and a large monetary donation.
Anyone interested in donating to the toy drive has until Dec. 20 to contact the daycare, which has two locations in the Clarkston area. They can be reached 248-620-5437 and 248-620-8600.
To make a donation through the Lacey family, Renee or Paul can be reached at 248-623-8802. The Lacey family will be accepting donations through the end of the year.