Lombard lauds youth for excellent character

Nicholas Lemke spent a few scary days after Halloween in a faceoff with cancer.

The 10-year-old Lombard boy, who's a fifth-grader at Schafer School, ultimately got a clean bill of health. But during his treatment at Children's Memorial Hospital in Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, he noticed the other sick children.

Once the cancer was eliminated and he was healthy, Nicholas said to his mother: "I'm lucky aren't I? I want to do something for the kids that aren't as lucky as I am."

So Nicholas recruited his Addison Flames hockey team, the Schafer School student council and his grandma to help him launch a toy drive for the young Children's Memorial patients. His campaign netted 800 toys and 75 gift cards and five iPods.

For his efforts, the Lombard village board recently honored Nicholas with a Medal of Character Excellence.

"This is such a great story," Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick said. It's a "very special and touching story."

It all began Halloween weekend when Nicholas started having bad stomach pains and wasn't feeling well, his mom, Tracey, recalled. She initially suspected a simple stomachache and then possibly the flu. When the pain became excruciating for Nicholas, his mother realized another culprit must be at work.

Ultimately, his doctor determined Nicholas was suffering from appendicitis. During testing for that, doctors found a 4-millimeter cancerous tumor that they removed along with the appendix, Tracey Lemke said.

The type of tumor is very unlikely to recur and doctors consider Nicholas cured, she said. But he still gets tested every few months as a precaution. His latest checkup revealed he remains cancer-free, she added.

"After this he says, 'I'm pretty lucky aren't I?'" Lemke said. "He says, 'I want to get some toys for some of the kids on the floor.'"

Several e-mails later and toys were piling up.

"I'm very, very proud of him," Lemke said. "It's nice he realized how lucky he is."

Hospital officials couldn't agree more.

"Nicholas is a very special boy, recognizing that there are other children that struggle through painful or uncomfortable treatments on a regular basis," said nurse Beth Dobby, assistant manager of the pediatric outpatient clinic. "His project has made so many children smile. I can tell you from the joy I see in their eyes, the pediatric oncology patients ... are all grateful for Nicholas' donation."

Nicholas hopes to hold a toy drive each year for the kids whose battles are ongoing.

Villa Park-based Elementary School District 45 spokeswoman Jean Hockensmith became a self-described "admirer" of Nicholas as soon as she heard his story. She had to nominate him for demonstrating the Pillars of Character, including respect, responsibility, caring and citizenship.

"As a tough little boy with a tender heart, he embodies every pillar of character," Hockensmith wrote in the nomination. "He deserves recognition - for recognizing the needs of those in the world around him."