Young man starts rack to help children with cancer
Eleazar I. Rodriguez, "ER," lived just 16 years, but those years were filled with courage, accomplishment, and heart. When he died in May 2009, he left behind many people who'd been touched by his caring spirit and a cause that will help others facing a diagnosis of cancer.
ER's Hat Rack collects hats for children with cancer. The Comprehensive Cancer Center at St. Joseph's, where ER was treated, has an ER's Hat Rack in its front lobby.
"He was a remarkable kid," says Carol Prehoda, RN. "He lost a lot of his vision but he did not let that stop him."
ER was first diagnosed with a brain tumor at age four. Over the next 12 years, he endured several tumor recurrences and ongoing treatment. Despite these hardships, ER led a full life. He played T-ball and baseball, learned karate and played the Tyco drums, violin, and base drum. He enrolled in JROTC and dreamed of becoming a U.S. Marine. He was active in the Foundation for Blind Children and later in the National Foundation for the Blind.
In March 2009, ER and his family came up with the idea of gathering hats to give to children at cancer centers. ER was unable to put up his first hat rack because he died of cancer in May 2009.
If you would like to donate hats to ER's Hat Rack at St. Joseph's Comprehensive Cancer Center, please contact Christina Hall at 602-406-1046.
