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4-year-old inspires toy drive for cancer fighters
The family of a little boy with cancer is helping to make the holidays a little happier for others. Despite their own struggles, the parents of 4-year-old Austin Herre wanted to do something to help bring a little joy to other patients and their families.
ATLANTA - The family of a little boy with cancer is helping to make the holidays a little happier for others. Despite their own struggles, the parents of 4-year-old Austin Herre wanted to do something to help.
"Austin was diagnosed in January of 2023 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a blood cancer," said Chelsea Herre, Austin's mom.
Over the past two years, 4-year-old Austin Herre and his family have spent a lot of time at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
"Overnight stays upwards of 50 days. We're there once a month now, at the beginning of treatment we were there a minimum twice a week," said Chelsea.
With each visit, Austin's mom and dad saw all the other children bravely fighting cancer, and they saw the worry and concern on the faces of other parents.
"This is our second Christmas in treatment, and it isn't easy to get through Christmas during treatment," said Chelsea.
The family wanted to do something to help bring a little joy to the patients and their parents. They came up with Austin's Army. They raised $5,000 and Austin and his family went on a shopping spree for others.
"He found toys that he would like and say I think a little boy would like this dino toy because it's something he knows he would like," said Chelsea.
They dropped off all the toys at the new Arthur M. Blank hospital. Santa will hand-deliver them on Christmas day.
"Santa is going to be giving them out on Christmas day to the kids on the AFLAC floor. He's going to give those to our fellow oncology families and their kids," said Chelsea.
They are also giving gift cards to outpatient families who are struggling this Christmas. Chelsea says she and her family know what that's like.
"Cancer takes a toll on your finances and your well-being. Just being able to give back to others, like we've been given back to, is very special," said Chelsea.
Chelsea says they've had a lot of help with Austin's Army. New South Construction made a big donation and when Walmart found out about what Austin's Army was doing, they gave them a 10% discount.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5's Denise Dillon.