Hudson teen battling cancer holds annual hot cocoa fundraiser for Alzheimer's
Not letting diagnosis stop him from doing good
Not letting diagnosis stop him from doing good
Not letting diagnosis stop him from doing good
Chemotherapy is not stopping a Hudson teen from raising money for a cause that's dear to his heart.
For the past decade, 15-year-old Tyler Blanchette and his brother have held a hot cocoa stand at their home every year.
"I think this is going to be our biggest year," Tyler said.
“Pretty incredibly proud of him. We really didn't expect him to want to do this this year,” said Tyler's mom Melissa Blanchette.
For most of his life, you could find Tyler and his family out here on their street selling all sorts of delicious goodies.
They always hold their fundraiser the weekend before or after Valentine ’s Day for a special reason.
"We do it in February because that's when my grandfather's birthday was,” Melissa Blanchette said.
“Big Papa”, as he was known, has a special place in the family's heart.
Even though they lost him to Alzheimer’s, they use this hot cocoa stand and his inspiration to do good, raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
"It's just overwhelming to see the support that they receive while they do this so it's great everything that they do for us,” said Roger Blanchette, Tyler’s father.
This year is a little different for the family.
"Five months ago, in early August, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was removed successfully, it was found cancerous,” Tyler said.
Tyler went through seven weeks of radiation and his treatment continues.
But it's not slowing him down.
“I think I should carry this on because it's special to me, too, now that I’m in it. And I’ve always been in it since,” Tyler said.
"We're pretty proud,” Melissa Blanchette said.
Over the past nine years, the Blanchettes have raised over $25,000 for the local Alzheimer's Association chapter.