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Community Corner

Jog for Joey to Support High School Freshman Facing Cancer

A 5k race will be held Sunday, May 15 to benefit Joey Vaichinger, a Waukesha North student who is battling cancer.

Freshman year of high school is a trying time for most young people. A new school, new people and new responsibilities put a great deal of pressure on young teens. One Waukesha North student, however, has to face these problems while battling cancer.

Joey Vaichinger has faced cancer not once, or even twice, but three times in his young life.

Joey was diagnosed with leukemia at 18 months old. After treatment, the cancer went into remission, but resurfaced at age 5. He received a bone marrow transplant from his brother, and for the next 10 years things were good.

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Then one day this February, Joey fainted and was taken to the emergency room where doctors found a cancerous brain tumor.

Gabrielle Houk, a student at Catholic Memorial High School heard about the Vaichinger family's problems and decided to help out.

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Houk organized a 5k run/walk to be held on May 15 at Catholic Memorial. The proceeds will go to benefit the Vaichinger family.

"I just want to help out the family and give them some more money for their bills and try to make the cost less for them," said Houk. "I want everyone to keep praying for the family."

Through all the troubles, Joey has kept his head up.

Joey's father, Ken Vaichinger, said the doctors call him a rockstar because he tolerated everything so well. 

"He never complains or says 'Why me.' He's not that kind of guy," said Ken Vaichinger. "He's made an impression on everybody with who he is and what he does."

The run is weeks away, but already support is pouring in.

"It's absolutely overwhelming," said Ken Vaichinger. "Our church, North High School, Summit View, Butler, it's just amazing the outpouring of love that people have showed. It's like, wow, I can't believe someone would want to do something like that for us."

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