Derek's Dance in Johnston Benefits Family of West Des Moines Boy Lost to Cancer

Derek Ellerbeck went through more in his seven years of life than anyone could ever imagine.

The little boy with long eyelashes and a love for anything with wheels died in March after a four-year fight with a rare form of brain cancer - medulloblastoma.

On Saturday, friends, family and strangers will celebrate the West Des Moines boy at "Derek's Dance" at the .

"He was a great kid. One thing that most people remember was that he had a smile on his face no matter the situation."

The prom and tropical-themed fundraiser was organized by a group of women who began their work in January.

"It's gone from a benefit toward medical bills, which it still is, but it will also be a celebration of Derek's life," said Kory Ellerbeck, Derek's father.

Kory said the benefit was organized in part by friends and Coconut Castaway - a non-profit organization.

While Kory wasn't involved with much of the planning, he said the theme would have fit Derek's personality.

"Oh yeah," he said. "I got him listening to Jimmy Buffett when he was young. He loved the beach."

Derek's Story

Derek was born Nov. 14, 2004. Just one day after his third birthday doctors passed down the diagnosis that affects roughly 250 to 500 children nationally each year.

Derek's first treatment included 30 days of radiation, followed with nine rounds of chemotherapy in Iowa City.

Each weekend, the Ellerbecks, which include Kory's ex-wife, Michelle, and daughter, Jenna, would return home.

"After the radiation series was over, an MRI showed that the radiation had killed off the remaining 5 to 10 percent of the tumor, but he still had to go through chemotherapy in case there were any ‘hidden’ cancer cells in his little body," Kory wrote in a letter for the benefit.

Five weeks later, Derek began chemotherapy treatments at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines. Each round was four to six weeks and included a short inpatient hospital stay.

After 11 months — on Jan. 4, 2009 — Derek had his last chemo treatment.
Throughout the treatment, Derek didn't lose his charming ways, Kory said.

"He had lots and lots of nurses as girlfriends, because he would melt their hearts," Kory said. "We thought Derek had beaten the odds and things were looking great."

Two Years Cancer-Free

Then on Jan. 4, 2011, an MRI showed a suspicious mass in the middle of Derek's back.

In Iowa City, a surgeon was able to remove the entire mass, but Derek faced another round of treatment.

Doctors feared that because Derek relapsed once, the cancer would likely return again.

The next treatment would be a stem cell transplant.

After the stem cell harvest, in mid-November the family learned of an experimental treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City.

Unfortunately, after three weeks in New York, the family was told Derek's body was not suited for the experimental treatment.

In December, Derek began taking daily oral doses of chemo. But the little fighter was finally defeated on March 16, 2012.

"To go through treatment for cancer in three years is way too much," Kory said. "He was a great kid, one thing that most people remember was that he had a smile on his face no matter the situation."

Prom Do-Over

Saturday's event, which is from 7 to 11 p.m, will include dancing, music from proms past, prom photos, a king and queen crowning and silent auction.

"I'm very humbled that they even thought of doing this," Kory said. "It means a lot to know that I have good friends."

Tickets for the event are available online or at the door for $25 per person or $45 per couple. They include two drinks and light appetizers.

"I hope this is a big celebration of his life," Kory said. "I hope a lot of people come to celebrate a little boy that went through more in his life than anyone should in 100 years."