After recently being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, five-year-old Richard Michael Adams – a kindergarten student at Nutter Fort Elementary - began chemotherapy treatment today at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

 

“Richie” is one of five children of Joel and Stacy Adams. A Go Fund Me page has been established to financially assist the family. Written by the little boy’s grandmother, Donna Adams, the story on the Go Fund Me page indicates that at first, it was believed that Richie had a sports injury and that he underwent extensive testing at three different hospitals before being diagnosed.

 

It was after some bone marrow extractions that the diagnosis was made.

 

“It’s not the one they wanted to hear, but they have the answer as to why this cute, spunky little boy has been so sick,” Donna Adams said.

 

Joel and Stacy Adams are both with their son. Joel has taken time off work, thus affecting the family’s income.

 

“As you know, it’s not only hard on the patient, but hard on his parents, as well: No work, no sick time or vacation time, extra expenses continue – eating out, travel expenses, parking garages, back and forth to see the other four children – and (medical) expenses that insurance does not cover,” Donna Adams said.

 

The Go Fund Me page can be accessed at www.gofundme.com/richard-michaels-medical-fund. To date, $2,910 of the $5,000 goal has been reached.

 

The Clarksburg Little Eagles youth football and cheer organization has also established a "Richard Strong" T-shirt fundraiser featuring the Batman artwork pictured. The cost of adult-size shirts is $15 ($17 for XXL and XXXL), $8 of which will benefit the family. Children’s shirts are $12; $6 which goes directly to the Adams family, said Clarksburg Little Eagles President Patricia Scheuvront.

 

Orders can be placed by contacting Scheuvront at 304-641-4116 or trishad111@aol.com or Carley Weekley at Samantha.kovar@yahoo.com or via Facebook.

 

Scheuvront said Richie loves football and was proud to be a member of the Clarksburg Little Eagles mighty mite team. It is estimated, she said, that he will be in Cincinnati approximately four weeks – until the first round of chemo is complete. It is hoped that he thereafter will be transferred to a hospital closer to home.

 

While at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Richie can receive cards and other mail addressed as follows:

 

Richard Michael Adams

c/o Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

A5N Room 510

3333 Burnet Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45229