Sydney Gatzemeyer

​Omaha Gives! is just around the corner. The community day of giving organized by the Omaha Community Foundation takes place on Thursday, May 25. Scare Away Cancer is participating in the 24-hour charitable challenge for the first time; we ask you to consider us for a scheduled donation so we can continue our mission of directly helping patients and families fighting cancer.

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Our Team With Sydney Gatzemeyer

Recently, we presented a check for $8,250 to five-year-old Sydney Gatzemeyer and her family.  Sydney was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma at the age of three. In November of last year, she had a second surgery to remove a mass on the right side of her brain. Chemotherapy started in January at St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, TN. Sydney was able to have her February treatments in Omaha. She will travel back and forth from Omaha to Memphis throughout the treatment cycle and have MRIs every three months to make sure the treatment is working.
 
We first heard about Sydney's case from Paulette Theisen, the Assistant Principal at St. James/Seton School. Sydney started the school year enrolled in the five-day prekindergarten program but had to stop attending to fight her cancer. If possible, Sydney comes to school once a month to visit classmates.
 
"I have seen her spirit grow and touch the hearts of many that come in contact with Sydney," said Theisen. "She has been a huge positive influence on our students here at St. James/Seton."
 
Sydney has tremendous community support and we are honored to help in a small way that helps ease the burden that comes with fighting this terrible disease. 

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​Scare Away Cancer started almost six years ago as an all-volunteer effort of the employees at MCL Construction. Our mission is to give direct financial assistance tocancer patients and their families as well ascancer programs that benefit cancer patients and survivors.
 
AsOmaha Gives! approaches, remember Sydney's story and the fact that there are hundreds more just like hers here in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. Your gift makes a difference! Also, make plans now to attend our sixth annual Halloween event on October 22nd at Anthony's Steakhouse.
 
Do you know of a patient or a family that needs help in their fight against Cancer? Fill out our gift application and tell us more. Cancer is a personal battle, but it shouldn’t be one that is fought alone.