Published: November 10, 2009 02:28 am      

NEWFANE: Neighboring schools help Newfane student battling brain cancer

NEWFANE — Ryan Kruzicke seems to make friends easily. The 5-year-old Newfane first-grader just made some new ones in two schools in another district.

Kruzicke has been fighting brain cancer since he was a baby. The cancer was in a brief remission, but returned last year, and Kruzicke is now undergoing chemotherapy.

When Michael Cancilla and John Diodate, principals at W.H. Stevenson and

Thomas Marks Elementary Schools, heard that Kruzicke was fighting a brain tumor, they wanted to help. Both Wilson district schools organized a staff dress down fundraiser and asked for general donations to help Ryan’s family, who were very grateful.

“The support has been phenomenal,” said Ryan’s mother, Tammy. “A child united two districts together — it’s huge.”

The kids and staff at the schools raised $350 for the Kruzicke family. Diodate and Cancilla brought a check to Kruzicke and his family Monday, along with some cards and a get well soon banner Wilson students made for Ryan.

Cancilla said staff members donated to the dress down fundraiser for two straight Fridays, while students collected money.

“All to help this impressive young man who has shown strength and courage,” he said.

At 6 months old, Kruzicke was diagnosed with cancer, which has also affected his vision. He is blind in his right eye and is in need of long-term care to help save what vision he has remaining in his left eye. Kruzicke has had a number of surgeries and has a nurse come to his home to put a needle in his chest to take blood for testing. If he is well enough, Kruzicke receives chemotherapy, which leaves him feeling sick for several days. Since Kruzicke misses a lot of time from school, his mother has had to take time off of work to be with him.

There was a benefit in Kruzicke’s honor in October. Like the help from the Wilson schools, the family has received great community support.

“The support has been wonderful,” Steve Kruzicke said.

Both Cancilla and Diodate were touched by Ryan’s story and talked about what they could do. To get their schools to help wasn’t very difficult. After all, the Wilson and Newfane school districts border each other. Some residents in Wilson attend Newfane schools, while some Newfane residents attend Wilson schools. Both principals said it’s not two districts, but rather a community that is rallying behind the Kruzickes.

“It’s something you do as a human being,” Cancilla said. “This is about another person in need — let’s do it.”

“We’re being good neighbors,” Diodate said.

To help the family meet medical expenses, you can donating online at www.ryansrebels.org or in person at any First Niagara location. Donations can be deposited under “Ryan’s Rebels.”

Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.