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Blood drive, bone marrow registry drive to help Buffalo Grove 4-year-old

Blood drive, bone marrow registry drive to help Buffalo Grove 4-year-old 'Superboy'

There is quiet concern and worry in the superhero world: Superboy has leukemia.

As he awaits a bone-marrow transplant, the resolve of this Buffalo Grove 4-year-old has prompted his family and super friends to celebrate his courage - and raise awareness for other children battling this disease - with a blood drive and bone marrow registry drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Northbrook Fire Department, 740 Dundee Road, Northbrook. The drive is co-hosted by LifeSource and Be The Match.

Since mid-October, Bennett Vulykh has been wearing a red cape around his neck following his return home after multiple rounds of chemotherapy, antibiotics, and blood and platelet transfusions to treat his leukemia. He wears the cape in tribute to Superman, his favorite superhero.

The cape is actually part of the Halloween costume that his grandmother bought for him. But the way this little boy has magically connected with this cape - and the strength it represents - is an inspiration to everyone he meets.

"Bennett wears that cape everywhere," said his mom, Enna. "Even in the hospital."

In May 2013, Bennett was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a disease that causes his bone marrow to produce abnormal white and red blood cells. A day after his diagnosis, he began chemotherapy at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. In the next four-and-a-half months, Bennett underwent four grueling rounds of chemotherapy, and multiple blood and platelet transfusions.

"He's just a little kid, and he doesn't know he has cancer," Enna said. "When he's in pain, he'll just lay in his hospital bed and watch his iPad or play with a puzzle. He'll ask me, 'Mama, how's my blood today?'"

He was scared at first, but began paying close attention to everything happening around him. "What did the doctor say?," he'd ask his mom. "Where's the doctor going? When is he coming back?"

Bennett returned home in October 2013, but concerns were raised last Labor Day when one of his eyes turned inward. After a battery of tests, a spinal tap was ordered. It revealed the return of the disease. "We caught the relapse early," said his mom.

Bennett was transferred to Lurie's Children's Hospital in Chicago, where he's since undergone two more rounds of chemo, blood and platelet transfusions, and intravenous antibiotics. Radiation treatment will begin soon, she says, hopefully followed by a successful bone marrow transplant.

He's currently at home, and last month celebrated his birthday with a superhero-themed party with his friends. Bennett couldn't wait for Halloween, which allowed him to wear his entire Superman costume, including belt and boots. When he went trick-or-treating, he wore his cape on the outside of his jacket.

"Bennett knows he's sick, and he knows he's stuck in the hospital, but he's still a kid," his mom said. "He's a little boy who is doing his best to grow up."

Appointments for the blood drive are preferred, but all walk-ins are welcome. Donors can schedule their appointment by calling LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 or visiting www.lifesource.org and using the code 329D. For more information, contact LifeSource account manager Sharon Fulgenzi at (847) 687-8478.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent). Bone marrow registrants are limited to ages 18-44, and must be in good health. Donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification.

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