Friends, family pitch in to help young cancer patient

Sammy Sanchez would have been delighted to see more than 400 people gathered together in her name on Sunday.

But the 11-year-old Algonquin girl with the contagious smile couldn't be there.

Early Saturday morning, Sammy, who has been battling leukemia for about a month, was rushed to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, complaining of pain in her sternum and from breathing, said her 19-year-old brother, Anthony.

She remained in the hospital through the weekend and is expected to return home Monday at the earliest or Friday at the latest. Her father Joseph Sanchez will remain by her side.

"She would be having so much fun with all her friends," said her sister, Jennifer Sanchez, 22.

"She would love to be here to see it."

The three Sanchez siblings have seen enough tragedy in their young lives.

In July, their mother Eileen O'Mara died of inflammatory breast cancer. Jennifer Sanchez, says the family is doing as best they can, given the circumstances, and have turned their attention toward Sammy's well-being.

"We're trying to keep up her spirits and be positive about everything," she said.

Their story inspired 45 local moms to organize a fundraiser from which all the proceeds go toward paying Sammy's medical bills.

The event, held Sunday at Algonquin Middle School where Sammy is a sixth-grader, included a silent auction, bake sale, T-shirt and leukemia awareness bracelet sales, and a performance by the Dundee-Crown High School jazz band.

Even Sammy's schoolmates pitched in.

Some girls sold friendship bracelets while others painted their fingernails orange - the color that represents leukemia - to show solidarity with their friend.

Officials reported that t hey raised more than $6,000 to help the Sanchez family.

Anthony Sanchez said he was overwhelmed.

"It's amazing that so many people just want to help her, and care," Anthony Sanchez said. "A lot of people love her and care about her."

Meanwhile, the Sanchez family is planning a homecoming dinner for Sammy at a relative's house in Mount Prospect once she's well enough to leave the hospital.

Knowing how much their sister wanted to attend the fundraiser, the family made sure to take lots of pictures and video footage for a DVD that details the three-hour event.

"I just wish she could be here," said her sister Jennifer Sanchez.

Donations can be mailed to: Samantha Sanchez Medical Account; Harris Bank of Algonquin; 225 S. Randall Road; Algonquin, IL 60102