Brown County Relay for Life officials announced 7-year-old Cade Perkins of Zephyr as this year’s Child Survivor honoree. Perkins was surprised by relay representatives and his mother Deann Perkins during class at Early Primary School on Tuesday afternoon.
Cade was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011 and is now in remission. He enjoys football, basketball, and is currently playing t-ball. He also loves helping his dad, Chad, with the family’s animals on their ranch. According to his mom, Cade adores his 16-year-old sister Codi and takes pride in helping with her show sheep.
Mrs. Perkins explained how Cade has battled leukemia and is a “hero” to many of their friends. She stated that he has spent time in treatment at Cooks Children’s Hospital and survived not only leukemia, but also a serious fall when he was 5-year-old, resulting in him being air lifted to the hospital, and also survived pneumonia while going through treatment.
She explained that she is happy he was selected but that it is an emotional thing.
“It brings back a lot of memories both good and bad. The bad is the cancer, but the good is that going through this, you realize how many people love you,” said Mrs. Perkins. “Friends gave us some great advice. We learned that you need to live everyday to the fullest, we all should. We have seen the goodness and support of so many people; we are surrounded by some awesome people.”
“Committee members try to pick someone who can inspire others,” said Relay Survivor chair Marian Deans. “He is definitely someone who inspires. He has come so far from being in a seemingly hopeless situation to where he is now.”
Cade is pictured above with (from left) his mother Deann Perkins and relay representatives Rick Phelps, Marian Deans, and Donna Thacker.
The 2015 Brown County Relay for Life will be held on May 22nd from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. at a new venue for the event, Longhorn Stadium in Early. This year’s Relay will be in honor of Judy Day, who served as a counselor at Early ISD. This year’s co-chairs are Elaine Hall and Rick Phelps.
Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society where individuals and teams walk/run overnight to show their commitment in the fight against cancer and to help raise money for cancer research and support.