Liam's Legion Of Warriors Fight For 6-Year Old With Leukemia

CHICAGO, IL — Several flyers of a brave neighborhood boy wearing a Superman outfit have shown up throughout Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood in recent days. They introduce Liam, a 6-year-old who began his battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last fall.

"He's handling it better than what I would have expected," said Courtney Silha, Liam's mother. "We just explained to him that bad ninjas are in his body fighting the good ninjas."

Silha has been forced to take a leave from work to be there for Liam, who spends several hours multiple times a week at Loyola Children's Hospital in Maywood for treatment. Liam, a first grader at Lee R. Foster School in Oak Forest, is now tutored at home by his teacher because he is immunocompromised and can't physically go to school.

But behind these hardships has formed a legion. With a vast extended family throughout the South Side and south suburbs, "Liam's Legion of Warriors" aims to help Liam's family with the expenses associated with the cancer that Silha says should be cleared of her son's body in about five years if treatments are successful.

The legion includes the family and friends of both Silha and Liam's father, Brendan Anderson. When he isn't in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy, Liam is at home with mom in Oak Forest or at home with dad in Beverly.

Family members on both sides have stepped up to help spread the word of his brave battle.

The flyers posted on walls and doors of businesses throughout the neighborhood are pumping up a July 1 benefit at Gaelic Park that will allow others in the area to support Liam and his family. The kid-friendly event will have facepainting, cartoon characters, live music and a DJ in the Emerald Room of the venue at 6119 W. 147th St. in Oak Forest.

Tickets are $20 when purchased on an Eventbrite page ahead of time and $25 on the day of the benefit. Anyone buying early online will be eligible to win a $2,500 jackpot. Buy tickets to the Liam's Legion of Warriors Fundraiser here.

A bar crawl held a few weekends back along Western Avenue officially began the fundraiser, when Silha says several shirts and benefit tickets were sold.

It was the first sign of the strength of Liam's "Legion."

"Everyone has been absolutely helpful," Silha said. "They will call, drop off groceries and be there to help any time."

Liam is doing his part in the recovery, too. The cancer hasn't lessened his enthusiasm for Pokémon, superheroes, playing soccer and the Chicago White Sox.

"Throughout Liam's journey, our friend has been a true Warrior," the Eventbrite page for the benefit states. "He continues telling jokes, laughing, moon walking and keeping up with his schoolwork."

Silha says there will be about two more years of chemotherapy treatment before Liam will be in recovery.

"He misses school, his friends and going out and doing the things he would otherwise be able to do," she said.

When he does recover though, Liam will have already tackled a challenge most are lucky enough to never have to face.

Photos courtesy of Jacqueline Sheppard Photography