PLYMOUTH — The smile on Weston Montgomery’s face Wednesday was priceless.
Montgomery, a third-grade student at Plymouth-Shiloh Elementary, was diagnosed in March with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After beginning treatment, Montgomery’s energy decreased significantly and his hair began to thin.
Gregory Silcox, a teacher at Plymouth High School and advisor to the school’s National Honor Society, said the student organization heard about Montgomery’s situation and wanted to take action.
The result was a districtwide shave-a-thon event Wednesday afternoon at Plymouth High School. Silcox said about 30 students and 10 staff members had their heads shaved to show Montgomery he was not alone in his battle.
He said around 10 additional elementary students had already shaved their heads prior to Wednesday’s event.
Students raised money for the Montgomery family by volunteering to shave their heads and by purchasing raffle tickets to shave the heads of certain teachers. More than $3,100 was raised through the shave-a-thon to help the family navigate their situation.
Montgomery also received special gifts and donations from Plymouth’s baseball, softball, volleyball and football teams, as well as the school’s FFA program.
“Cancer sucks and it’s awesome that we could at least make his day better,” Silcox said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that mattered.”
The event also featured several special guests, including Ohio State punter Nick McLarty, Brutus Buckeye and Plymouth’s own Big Red the Viking.
“Just to see him smile, that made it all worth it,” Silcox said.
Navigating new challenges
ALL is a type of cancer that causes the body to make too many abnormal immature white blood cells, called lymphoblasts, according to Akron Children’s Hospital.
Symptoms can include fatigue, fever, night sweats, bone pain, infections and easy bleeding and bruising. According to Akron Children’s, doctors don’t know its causes, but ALL is the most common type of leukemia in children.
Montgomery’s mother, Kadie Montgomery, said her son had not seen any of his classmates since his diagnosis about two months ago. That changed at Wednesday’s event.
“He was really excited for that (seeing his peers),” Kadie said. “And of course seeing Brutus and Nick McLarty.
He (Weston) had a great time Wednesday. He loved watching people shave their heads for him.”
The day after the shave-a-thon, it was discovered Weston was in need of a blood transfusion while he was receiving treatment. Watching Weston’s energy and active lifestyle diminish has been heartbreaking, his mother said.
She said he played “every sport imaginable” prior to his diagnosis. Weston had recently won a wrestling tournament in February.
“He has trouble walking some days,” Kadie said. “He’s very shaky and he doesn’t even want to touch a football or basketball right now, which is sad because he always had one in his hand.
“We’ve always had to tell him at bedtime, ‘Okay Wes, it’s time to calm down now.’ Now we never have to say that to him.”
The road ahead of Weston remains challenging, including a particularly tough round of treatment upcoming in June, his mother said. But his parents are hopeful his energy will slowly begin building back up as his treatment schedule lessens.
One way Weston has been able to connect with friends and family during his battle is video games. His father will sit and play with him “as long as he wants” on particularly challenging days.
Kadie said they also take family walks up and down the driveway for exercise and fresh air.
“We’re trying to let him live a normal life,” she said. “But sometimes his white blood cells are pretty low to where we have to isolate.”
Become familiar with the signs, symptoms of leukemia
The Montgomery family is thankful for all the support they have received from Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools, local small businesses and people throughout the community.
Kadie wanted to express gratitude for all who have setup fundraisers and those who have sent cards, gifts, money and gift cards to her family.
“It’s been great to see the support that we’ve gotten, especially from kids at his school,” she said. “It makes him (Weston) feel not alone, especially kids his age shaving their heads.
“That makes him not feel different,” his mother said.
The card and words of encouragement he’s received have truly made a difference. His mother said that even on bad days, it’s helped him keep fighting.
Kadie said she encourages parents to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of leukemia. Before being diagnosed, Weston had been to three separate emergency rooms and a doctor’s office where his family was told not to worry.
“If I didn’t know the signs then I probably wouldn’t have caught it and known to take him to (Akron) Children’s Hospital,” his mother said.
Learn more about acute lymphoblastic leukemia here.