Benefit planned for ‘Lil D’ Kanke

The Modern Woodmen of America is sponsoring a benefit car wash Saturday, Oct. 5 for Wynona cancer fighter David “Lil D” Kanke.

The benefit will be held at the DeClue Family Chiropractic Clinic, 208 S. Bulldog Blvd. in Skiatook. Organizer Courtney Tilley asked anyone wishing to make a donation to David but who can’t come to the car wash to contact her at 918-606-6933.

For the past two years, six-year-old David has been fighting a rare form of cancer called ganglionueroblastoma. He and his family were elated the past February when doctors said the cancer was in remission. Their elation was short lived when the cancer resurfaced in August.

The severity of this insidious disease means something as simple as a head cold can compromise Lil D’s breathing. His skin is especially sensitive to the cold. Since the initial diagnosis, Lil D has been hospitalized numerous times and unable to attend school as a normal child.

On August 25, the Kanke family made its second trek to Main for Camp Sunshine. This was a week-long free camp for families and children afflicted with cancer. Since its inception, Camp Sunshine has provided a haven for over 40,500 individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

“We were the only family from Oklahoma to attend. Most of the participants were from New York,” said David’s mom, Kelly Kanke. “What also made this experience especially memorable was that the majority of those attending were Hispanic. Fortunately, language was not a barrier and Lil D and his two brothers had a ball. We so appreciate Lil D’s supporters for their calls and visits.”

Updates are available on Lil D’s Facebook page at Prayer-chain-for-Lil-d-David-Kanke. Cards may be sent to Lil D Kanke, PO Box 445, Wynona, OK 74084.