By ADEM SARICAOGLU
WHEN Western Suburbs skipper Dale Thompson found out the son of a former club physio was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer, he knew there was something that could be done.
Irene Rosenbaum, a physio at Western Suburbs for five years, last April was given the news every parent dreads.
She had been told her then two-year-old son, Lukas, had an aggressive brain cancer.
“He had emergency surgery to remove the tumour and there was still a tiny bit left, and then he had to undergo six months of high-dose chemotherapy,” Rosenbaum explained.
“We pretty much spent nearly the whole time in hospital, and now there’s still a little bit left in there.
“So we have to do some radiation treatment which will be happening at some point later this year.”
However with the treatment Lukas needs only available in the United States, the Rosenbaums have to fork out the heavy living expenses needed for such a trip, which is expected to last between six to eight weeks.
It was then that Thompson and his Western Suburbs team-mates stepped in.
In Suburbs’ next home game against local rival Sunshine George Cross on 21 July, each member of the squad will donate their match payment and wear specially-made golden boot laces in support of Lukas’ cause.
“I had an idea to put it to the boys to maybe donate our wages and raise some money for them – that was how it all came about,” Thompson said.
With a substantial amount of money needed to finance the trip, Rosenbaum was keen to express her gratitude toward the club’s initiative.
“We’re just really humbled and really grateful that they’re doing that for us,” Rosenbaum said.
“It’s amazing how many people get touched by your story and want to help in some way.”
Lukas spends more days in hospitals than out as he goes through regular chemotherapy sessions.
Despite that, the little tacker sure can work up smile, according to mum.
“He’s taken it all in his stride,” she said.
“It happened when he was two and a half so it’s kind of what he knows, so he’s quite happy to be in and out of the hospital.
“He loves his trains – he’s talking non-stop and he’s a pretty happy little chap, really.”
A Facebook page called ‘Get on Board for Lukas Rosenbaum’ has also been set up in support for the family’s cause.
