Viewfinder: Trick or Treat for Tumornators

The annual at Lilburn Park was attended by more than a hundred people as local residents raised funds for tumor research.  All proceeds were given to the Childrens Tumor Foundation.

The event had a pet costume contest with "funniest," "scariest," and "most miserable dog in his costume" categories. There was also facepainting, door prizes, and trick-or-treating.

“All the candy and prizes and volunteers are from the teachers at Arcado elementary,” said Sally Duerr, an Arcado elementary schoolteacher and Trick or Treat for Tumornators organizer.

“Three years ago we were brainstorming a trick or treat and we thought of the Cone family and the Tumornators,” said Duerr.

Arcado’s Fran Cone son Drew Leathers suffers from Schwannomatosis. The rare genetic disease has caused painful tumors to grow all over his body.

After years of surgeries, Drew calls this his transition period as they try to find a drug to cure the disease. There is hope on the horizon. Drew has gone through two treatments over the past year of an experimental drug called Avastin.

“I’m their experiment,” said Drew. “The results were almost immediate. It slowed down the growth of the tumors.”

“A lot of progress had been made with the funds that we have gotten,” continued Drew.

“Ms. Duerr and the Arcado teachers and my brothers who started Tumornators have done a lot for this,” said Drew.

 “I just get to sit here and take the credit,” Drew said jokingly.

“The support we get from the community is great,” continued Drew. “It gets bigger and better every year.”

The Cone/Leathers family plans to do the trick or treat again next year as well as a Rock for Research concert in the near future.

To find out more about Drew and his condition go to his Tumornators website.