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BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Sunshine Kids and the Ribbon Café held their third annual fundraiser on July 29, raising money for local seven-year-old Aiden Rodriguez of Queensbury.
In September 2022, Rodriguez was diagnosed with Grade 3 Choroid Plexus Carcinoma, a rare form of brain cancer, and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, which causes an increased risk for several types of cancer. Patricia Rodriguez, Aiden’s mother, said the community support shown on Saturday was “very overwhelming.”
“We are humbled, we are surprised, thankful,” said Patricia Rodriguez. “I mean, beyond grateful.”
“We didn’t ask for any of this, it just came around,” added Jason Rodriguez, Aiden’s father. “We’re very appreciative of how the community has put this together.”
The fundraiser was initially started by local parents Kate DuBois-Huskie and Tricia Stevenson, who said they have worked with Ribbon Café owner Kevin Myers and his sister Christine Pyle to hold the event each of the past three years.
“It’s just amazing to see people in the community that want to help,” said DuBois-Huskie. “I feel lucky to have the connections and the people that want to help. Hopefully every year we get a little bigger, and help more kids.”
The lemonade stand itself was run by DuBois-Huskie and Stevenson’s children; four-year-olds Dax Huskie and Sophia Stevenson, six-year-old Addison Huskie, and seven-year-old Scarlett Stevenson.
“I think any time the community can come together to support somebody, it’s just a really feel-good environment for everybody,” Tricia Stevenson said.
The portion of Prospect Street directly in front of the Ribbon Café was closed to traffic on Saturday, instead filled with the stands of numerous local businesses and organizations. The fundraiser featured a DJ, children’s games, miniature donkeys from Maple Rock Farm, and many local vendors.
The event also featured performances by dancers from the Carol Lawrence School of Dance, where DuBois-Huskie and Stevenson’s daughters participate. The two parents said they initially met after enrolling their daughters at Carol Lawrence.
“Again, it’s just great to see the community show up,” said DuBois-Huskie.
Aiden has undergone numerous procedures, and recently was the first person to be enrolled in a clinical trial in New York, where he underwent intra-arterial fusion of chemotherapy, his mother said.
Following the clinical trial, the tumor was removed on June 13, Patricia Rodriguez said. The family recently traveled to Rochester, where Aiden received what was described as “high doses of chemotherapy.” Aiden will return for another round of chemotherapy this month, his parents said.
The Rodriguez family offered thanks to several hospitals and medical centers that have assisted in Aiden’s treatment. Patricia Rodriguez emphasized she believes that everyone should be tested for Li-Fraumeni Syndrome at birth, and again mentioned the strong community support the family has received.
Saturday’s event raised over $4,300 as of Aug. 2, DuBois-Huskie said via email, while a GoFundMe page for Aiden (https://gofund.me/687adc9d) has received over $12,000 in donations.
“The community has been great for us everywhere,” said Patricia Rodriguez. “So much support. … There’s no words to describe it.”
