Fundraiser planned for Palatine teen with leukemia

Friends and family can typically find Fremd High School junior Will Kelley on a soccer or lacrosse field or at an easel creating an oil painting.

But the Palatine teen's world drastically changed in June, when doctors diagnosed him with a form of leukemia. Now, the 16-year-old makes weekly trips to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago for chemotherapy and feels the side effects for days after.

The owner of Positive Strokes Art School in Palatine, a place so familiar to Will, wanted to help.

Marlene Wood is organizing a fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, that will benefit her student, Will, as well as his parents and three younger siblings. It will take place at Positive Strokes' new location in a ranch home at 896 N. Quentin Road, next to Mia's Nursery.

"Will is articulate, creative, athletic and does well academically," Wood said. "He's always been the type to give rather than receive, so we're happy to help in a small way."

The event will feature live music, food, raffle, silent auction, paintings, pottery, painted glass, pottery wheel demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids. Positive Strokes is in the process of moving to the new space, but Wood said it will be ready in time for the fundraiser.

"Will is in the beginning of years of treatment," said Wood, who recently joined more than a hundred people for a silent prayer outside the Kelley home. "It's important the community come together for him."

Wood is asking local businesses to help in any way, be it donations for the raffle or providing beverages for the day. Donations are tax deductible and Wood has a tax ID number for the Kelley Family Fund. Anyone interested in contributing can call Positive Strokes at (847) 705-7130.