LZ Community Helping Brandon Hinojosa Fight Leukemia

Brandon Hinojosa likes watching football with his dad. He likes hanging around with his best friend, his cousin Jonathan. He’s sweet and funny, his family says.

And, he’s a strong little boy who is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The two and a half year old was diagnosed in early August when he was taken to the emergency room with a high fever and swollen stomach. He was diagnosed with ALL.

He undergoes chemotherapy every Friday. The little boy must have chemotherapy for the next three years, his uncle, Shawn Drake said.

“He’s great, he’s a trooper,” Drake said.

“He’s considered in remission right now,” Drake said. “It’s just the process of doing chemotherapy to make sure they get rid of it all.”

Drake, the general manager of the Snuggery in McHenry, is organizing a benefit for Brandon and his family. It will be held at the restaurant, 801 N River Road, on Sunday, October 6 beginning at 10 a.m.

“We are trying to raise the money to help the family in any way,” he said.

Sunday’s benefit coincides with the Chicago Bears game that starts at noon. There’s a $5 donation to get a wristband with “Team Brandon” on it. Drake is planning 50/50 raffles and a silent auction featuring items like Bears and Chicago Blackhawk jerseys and Bears tickets to a December game where they play the Green Bay Packers.

Drake is still collecting things and hopes to have more items.

Brandon’s father and mother both work in restaurants and must take off every Friday, and sometimes Saturday, to care for Brandon. His father, Robby,

works at Beelow’s Steakhouse in Lake Zurich and his mom, Brandy Kolberg, works at Cheesecake Factory in Schaumburg.

The family, who lives in Lake Zurich, is not sure how much their insurance will cover. The bills have already totaled $185,000, Drake said.

There have been other fundraisers. The Lake Zurich Flames cheerleaders held a car wash and half of the proceeds went to help Brandon. Another group raised, Libertyville Gymnastics, raised $2,000 for the family.

People who can’t make the benefit have been contributing and he’s collected $100 checks from 10 people in the last few days, he said.

“It chokes you up,” Drake said of the outpouring of help. “There are a lot of things in society that brings you down and makes you think what’s wrong with people. But times like this…bring out the best in people. It gives you a positive attitude.”

“It’s been phenomenal,” Drake said.

Donations can also be accepted on Team Brandon’s  Facebook page.