Fundraiser For Family Of Danville Toddler Who Beat Rare Cancer

DANVILLE, CA — A fundraiser at the Roundhill Country Club in Alamo in January will benefit the family of Danville toddler who is finishing treatment for a rare cancer. After close to a year of grueling procedures during seemingly endless hospital stays, young Benjamin Rutherford’s cancer is in remission, but the battle is far from over.

In February of 2018, doctors told Benjamin’s parents that their son suffered from stage 4 Neuroblastoma and the cancer had metastasized to his bones, bone marrow and throughout his tiny body. A huge lump in Ben's body discovered while wrestling with family members changed their lives in a matter of hours.

Despite the devastating diagnosis, Ben and his family never gave up hope. Heartbroken and in shock, Shannon Rutherford, Ben's mother, said that doctors told them Ben had a 30 to 50 percent chance of growing up to be a man.

However, following months of painful treatments, and a battle with insurance, Ben and his mom have gone back and forth to New York to see doctors at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. A battery of excruciating bone marrow tests and scans helped doctors determine that Ben's little body has responded well.

Ben is the youngest of four siblings. Lucie, John and Julia have kept busy with school and sports during Ben's treatment. Lucie, 15, attends San Ramon Valley High. John is in middle school and Julia is in transitional kindergarten. Shawn holds down the fort at home with the kids and makes trips to be with Ben and his mom during treatments as often as possible.

Tickets are available now for the January 5, 2019 fundraiser, which includes dinner and an auction. Keynote speaker and Neuroblastoma survivor Michael Crossland will share his story of inspiration and survival during the event. Click here to order your tickets by Dec. 6.

Their community has rallied for the family of six from the beginning. Friends created a GoFundMe page to help the Rutherfords with the ongoing costs associated with Ben's treatment. Click here to donate.

Photo courtesy Shannon Rutherford

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