A third-grader at Cook Elementary has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and locals are rallying to support he and his family.
“Walk for Ryan” will be held Saturday at Propst Park in Columbus for Ryan Smith. Smith, 8, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August.
According to “Walk for Ryan,” a Facebook page that has been set up by family friends, Ryan has a rare FLT3 mutation of the disease, which means his body cannot perform a specific immune function to keep cancer cells in check even if chemotherapy is successful in attacking the leukemia. The average survival of children from the point of diagnosis and start of treatment is less than one year, the page said.
Smith has been in St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis since the diagnosis. He is undergoing chemotherapy and waiting for a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Winter.
Ryan’s father, Rob Smith, is a former meteorologist at WCBI. Rob Smith is currently a critical care nurse at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, according to Aundrea Self, one of the event organizers for Saturday’s walk. Ryan’s mother, Tatia, is staying in Memphis while her husband commutes to work, Self said.
Self encouraged community members to come to the walk to give back to a family that she feels gave so much to Columbus.
“I think he was a friend to a lot of people because of the service that he provided,” Self said. “This is an opportunity to show support for him.”
Self said the community’s outpouring of love and support has been “amazing.” In addition to the walk, Saturday’s event will offer jumpers, face painting, hot dogs and pizza for sale. Participating in the walk is free. A football signed by Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze will be raffled off, as well as a basket filled with Mississippi State University memorabilia. “Walk for Ryan” T-shirts featuring a custom designed logo by local artist Uncle Bunky will be available as well.
Today, students at Cook Elementary wore red T-shirts to show their support for their classmate.
Registration for the walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event lasts until noon. To donate to the family, contact Self at 662-327-4444.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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