Fall River Photographer Supports Teen Athlete With Leukemia

If there’s one factor I’ve gathered concerning the folks right here on the SouthCoast, it is that when one in every of our personal is dealing with one thing unimaginably powerful, they step as much as assist.

Fall River freshman Wesley Araujo, a standout multi-sport athlete excelling in soccer, basketball, and baseball, was just lately identified with leukemia. Since beginning chemotherapy on January twenty sixth, he’s been spending a lot of his time at Hasbro Children’s Hospital making ready for what’s going to possible be months of remedy and restoration.

It’s the type of information that hits arduous, particularly for households concerned in youth sports activities, the place children develop up collectively on fields and courts and rapidly turn into prolonged household.

Turning Talent Into Support

That’s precisely why Westport photographer Alyssa Venancio of Eleven Sixteen Studio & Co. determined she couldn’t simply sit again. As a sports activities mother herself — with a son who performs baseball and appears as much as Wes — this story hit near dwelling.

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Venancio describes Wes as not solely an unimaginable athlete however a fair higher child, somebody with a pure mild and energy that folks gravitate towards. And she firmly believes those self same qualities that helped him shine in sports activities will assist carry him via this combat.

So she’s utilizing what she is aware of finest — pictures — to provide again.

How the Giveaway Helps

She’s launched a Team Sports Session Giveaway for Wes (#WesRobust) the place each greenback raised will go on to Wesley and his household to assist offset the heavy monetary and emotional toll that comes with lengthy hospital stays, remedies, and missed work.

The giveaway features a full sports activities photograph session valued at greater than $2,000. The successful entry can use it for their very own youngster or donate it to a whole group (as much as 12 gamers), which actually makes the gesture much more particular.

Each $25 donation counts as one entry, and anybody can message Venancio directly on Facebook for particulars. She plans to announce the winner on Monday, February ninth.

A Community Rallying Around Wes

Lastly, as she put it so completely — this isn’t actually about successful pictures.

It’s about rallying round a household the identical method we rally round our children below Friday night time lights, in packed gyms, or on spring baseball diamonds.

Because generally what folks want most isn’t simply drugs — it’s figuring out their group is correct there beside them.

And proper now, that group is standing sturdy for Wes.