Ivy Hall School holds fundraising walk for one of their own

About 500 parents, staff and students gathered Friday morning at Ivy Hall School in Buffalo Grove for Joshua's Jam, a fundraising walk to raise money for research on a disease that has struck one of the school's students.

Joshua McFadden, a fifth grader, was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in January.

The event, which included an appearance by Benny the Bull and some Luvabulls, raised $4,000 for the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma is a an aggressive tumor in an area of the brainstem that controls vital functions including breathing, blood pressure, swallowing, eyesight and balance.

Between 200 and 400 children in the U.S. are diagnosed each year.

After the community learned of Joshua's diagnosis, a "Go Fund Me" campaign started by Bradley Egel, a family friend, raised more than $40,000 to help cover medical expenses.