Three-year-old Gabriel Polston is recovering nicely in a St. Louis Ronald McDonald House apartment after his recent bone marrow transplant, but it's a long way from his family's Fulton home, and expenses are mounting for his parents, Erica and Jeremy.
In an effort to help the family, VFW Post 2657 in Fulton has raised $1,000 for travel expenses and will be holding a benefit on Halloween for further donations.
Gabriel - stricken with leukemia a year ago - came through the surgery well, but because his immune system is vulnerable he must be quarantined for up to 100 days. He was transferred from the hospital to the Ronald McDonald facility around his 25th day, his father said. The apartment is two blocks from the hospital, and Gabriel still needs to go to the clinic twice a week.
"He's taking it in stride," Mike Crowson, the family's minister at Harmony Baptist Church, said. "He's a happy little trooper."
Crowson described Gabriel's penchant for entertaining the local congregation by singing and blowing kisses to the audience.
"He doesn't like to see others cry," he said. "He'll bring someone a tissue if he sees they're upset. He's a tender spirit."
"It's been a hard time," Jeremy Polston said. "But we've been blessed because of the community we live in."
The benefit will be held Oct. 31 from 2-4 p.m. at the VFW Post at 505 Collier Lane.