Family, friends gather to celebrate a special birthday in Bloomingddale

Gregory Cordero had been waiting for this day for weeks.

His sister, family and dozens of his friends from Ohio were on hand to celebrate his 20th birthday party. That meant a few precious hours to enjoy the warm, sunny Saturday weather and be among friends.

"He's made so much progress in the last few months," said Rudy Cordero, Gregory's father. Gregory Cordero was diagnosed with a benign brainstem tumor last year, which has left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak.

For the past few months, the Skokie teen has been living at Alden Village in Bloomingdale, an assisted-living facility that helped organize Saturday's birthday party.

A Special Wish Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children and young adults with life-threatening conditions, helped pay for much of the food, lodging and transportation for Gregory's family and friends from Ohio.

"We're just so elated that Gregory can have this one day to get out and be around all the people who love him," said Leslie Cordero, Gregory's sister.

Before his diagnosis last year, Gregory had spent two years living with his sister in Akron, Ohio, where he was active in the ministry efforts of a local church.

Nearly two dozen of those parishioners made the six-hour, nearly 400-mile drive to celebrate with Gregory and his family.

"In many ways, I'm closer to Gregory and his family than my own family," said Markeda Newby, who was among those who made the trip.

Gregory's family said chemotherapy treatments have shrunk his tumor by one-third of its original size, and Gregory has regained some movement and strength in his arms. They hope to eventually see Gregory make a full recovery.

"We're just taking it one day at a time," Leslie Cordero said. "Gregory always seems to have a smile for us, and he's been a joy during this whole ordeal."