Rasmussen College Moorhead campusnursing students and faculty came together to hold a benefit forZach Rummel，一个9岁男孩，在一月份被诊断出星形细胞瘤- 位于他的脑干上的稀有脑肿瘤。

Zach是艾伦·鲁梅尔（Ellen Rummel）的儿子nursinginstructor at the Moorhead campus.

“当学生发现有关艾伦儿子的诊断时，他们就开始计划和寻找捐款的那一刻。”“对我个人而言，艾伦自从我在拉斯穆森学院开始以来就一直是我的人。她是我的导师，我仰望的人。我知道当她需要我时，我需要为她服务。”

Due to the size and location of Zach’s tumor, it cannot be operated on, so he has been receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments at圣裘德儿童研究医院in Memphis, Tenn., since the end of January.

“He was given a second chance at life by being sent to St. Jude’s,” Rummel said. “Now, we have time with him we would have not otherwise had, as there were no options for him [at home].”

Fortunately, the nursing students, faculty and many other people were able to swiftly plan Zach’s benefit; it took place at Fargo, N.D., entertainment centerThe Bowler. Items were donated for live and silent auctions from local businesses, artists, photographers and sports teams. Baked goods and craft items were also for sale during the event.

“There was a tremendous turnout and the benefit brought in a very high dollar amount,” Bosch said.

通过达科他州医学基金会（Dakota Medical Foundation）的Lend-A Hand计划也提议在福利期间提供多达5,000美元的捐款。大量捐款也由Eventide,Pray for Grayand Morgan’s Wish.

The family plans to use the donations for Zach’s medical bills, medications, medical equipment and a full-time caregiver. Additionally, they’ll use it for physical and occupational therapy and some travel expenses as they make their way back and forth to St. Jude’s every other month.

“We don’t know what his other needs will be in the future, but all the funds will be used toward Zach’s medical expenses and making sure he has the best quality of life possible,” Rummel said. “To our family, it is not about the money, but the kindness and support offered to a very sweet child on a very scary journey with a family who loves him very much.”

The fight will go on

Zach returned home to West Fargo on March 25, after eight weeks in Memphis. He will return to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital every two months. During his first stint at St. Jude’s, Zach completed six weeks of radiation along with daily chemotherapy. He got to take a month off from all treatments in April. Now, he’s on maintenance chemotherapy once a month for five days.

“We don’t officially know what the treatments did to his tumor—yet,” Ellen said. “However, the fact that he can remain off steroids and has improved overall are all good signs. He seems to be getting stronger every day and is happy, though he tires easily.”

此外，艾伦（Ellen）很幸运地获得了扎克（Zach）的临时护理人员安妮·汉克斯（Anne Hanks）。她在Cari​​ngbridge上写了一张笔记，直到夏天，汉克斯表达了她的兴趣。

鲁梅尔说：“她是最富有同情心，充满爱心和充满爱心的人，也是扎克（Zach）的完美搭配。”“照顾一个刚完成放疗和化学疗法治疗的孩子并不容易，但她只是介入，不仅在乎扎克，而且在乎我们的整个家庭。我发现这是被拉斯穆森学院吸引的人。照顾我们自己似乎是文化的一部分。”

Kindness that hasn’t gotten unnoticed

The Rummel family acknowledges and is thankful for the many volunteer hours that were put into the benefit on behalf of Zach, and especially the students that contributed.

艾伦说：“他们中的许多人花了无数小时代表那天晚上的利益工作和/或露面来支持扎克。”“当您想到学生每天承载的负载外，这真是太神奇了，除了家庭作业，临床，家庭和工作。”

The Rummel’s are also thankful for the Rasmussen College family who also contributed time, donated money and offered the facility to gather silent auction items.

“If there is one great thing that has come from this difficult time, it is the kindness of others,” said Ellen.

What’s next

There was a fundraiser at Space Aliens for Zach in the middle of April, and a carnival at his school西边小学in West Fargo on April 30. All proceeds went to his benefit fund.

Additionally, Ellen hopes to start a foundation in Zach’s name soon to be able to help others that are going through some of the same challenges.

“Our goal is to pay it forward to others in similar situations and provide the same kindness that has been shown to us,” said Ellen.

To help out Zach’s family, donations are being accepted at anyGate City Bankunder the Zachary Rummel Benefit account.