Teen in Valley Stream's prayers

Chris Schroeder’s two-year battle with leukemia has been like a roller-coaster, noted his father, Wally. The 18-year-old South High School senior is back in the hospital, but his family and friends are praying for him to overcome the disease.

On April 26, the Valley Stream Junior Fire Department held a pasta dinner to raise money for Schroeder’s medical expenses. Schroeder has been a member of the organization for several years and his father is a firefighter with Engine Company No. 2.

The event raised more than $2,300 for the Schroeder family, and donations are still coming in. While most of his medical expenses are covered by insurance, there are still significant out-of-pocket costs, including co-pays for doctors, tests and hospital visits. “There’s always bills coming in,” Wally Schroeder said, noting that his son is receiving constant medical attention.

Last week, Schroeder was admitted to Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York with heart problems.

“He wanted to go to the fundraiser,” Wally Schroeder said, “and that day he got admitted to the hospital. He was fine the day before.”

The event went on without Chris. Junior firefighters cooked and served pasta, sauce and meatballs to more than 200 people who attended. Mike Field, who advises the juniors, said that donations were received from the other fire departments as well, and more fundraising events are being planned for the future.

Richie Field, captain of the juniors, said he and Schroeder joined the group a month apart, so they have known each other for a long time. Field said he was proud of his fellow juniors for running such a well-organized event to help their peer. “I just hope he feels better,” Field said.

He thanked the many stores that donated food and money for the cause.

Jessica Fare, a senior at Central High School, has been a member of the juniors with Schroeder for about five years. “He’s a part of our family,” she said. “We all support each other. We’re hoping that he gets better and we pray for him all the time.”

Fare said that Schroeder always enjoyed the camaraderie of the juniors and the overall atmosphere of the Fire Department. She said that when he was healthy, he was very active in the group.

James Russo, a fellow member of the juniors, also took part in the fundraiser. “This event was important to me because Chris is one of my good friends,” he said. “I’ve known him since elementary school, and for him to be going through this is hard. Out of all the fundraisers we’ve done to help Chris, I think this is the one I felt the closest to him.”

Schroeder, an avid bowler, was a member of South’s bowling team before he became sick. In his sophomore year he had a 201 average. Six teams from Conference 6 held a bowling tournament for him in January 2012 at Rockville Lanes, which he attended.

He began his senior year at South but attended classes for only a week and a half in September before he had more medical setbacks.

Chris misses going to school and seeing his friends, his father said. Because of his weakened immune system, he is rarely allowed visitors, but he does communicate with his friends regularly through Facebook and text message.

South High will hold its second annual softball game for cancer on June 7, the last day of classes. Last year’s inaugural event was to support two teachers battling cancer, but this year the proceeds will go to Schroeder. There will be a teacher softball game along with food, face painting and other festivities.

Recently, South students made posters for Schroeder as well as a video. Each student had a chance to show their poster and give a personal message, which Principal Maureen Henry described as heartfelt, warm and encouraging. She said the highlight of the video was her and others doing a dance called the Harlem Shake.

Henry explained that everyone at the school is hoping for Schroeder to pull through, and that is evident from the constant support he has received. “It just exemplifies that Chris is the heart and soul of the class of 2013,” she said. “Every day he’s in our thoughts and prayers.”

Many of South’s teachers attended the pasta dinner, Henry added, and those who couldn’t make it still made donations.

Wally Schroeder said he and his family are touched by all the support for Chris. “It says a lot that they’re all behind him,” he said. “They want him to get better. They haven’t forgotten about him even though he hasn’t been around that much.”