For the Reporter

Lea Hill residents have teamed up to help the family of Justin Lazara, a 3-year-old boy who is undergoing chemotherapy for rare malignant and aggressive brain and brain-stem cancers.

TeamJustin recently completed a project to provide Justin with a worry-free, secure backyard to play in while he undergoes treatment. Residents also have organized fundraising events to help Justin’s family cover the costs of his treatments.

Justin has primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET), rare and malignant forms of cancer that usually occur in children. He faces six months of on-off chemotherapy at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where doctors will harvest his stem cells to be used for treatment.

Justin’s father, Adam, said doctors will treat Justin with proton radiation therapy, which precisely targets tumors without damaging surrounding tissue. They hope to shrink the tumors so they can eventually operate on two of Justin’s three tumors.

“We have a tough battle ahead of us,” said Adam, an outside sales executive for a large provider of Internet, phone and video services. “Justin’s cancer is surreal – it’s devastating. I try to remove myself. It’s like a one-in-a-million chance, so why us?

“Justin has a really great attitude. He’s a happy boy, with an ‘I’m never going to give up attitude.'”

April has left her job as a nurse at a local correctional facility to help care for her son.

“I’m not the type who asks for help, but in this case, I think it would be wise to embrace it for the benefit of my family,” Adams said. “If nothing else, (it’s important) to raise awareness that there are kids and families out there figuring out these battles, and that even the smallest acts of kindness or a simple comment or prayer or acknowledgement eases the burden and courage to fight their battle.”

A Just for Justin bake sale is Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Arthur Jacobsen Elementary School gymnasium, 29205 132nd Ave. SE, Auburn.

The sale, sponsored by the Willow Park Homeowners Association, will include baked goods provided by concerned Lea Hill-area residents and local businesses. Donors include the Gene Juarez Academy cosmetology schools in Federal Way and Mountlake Terrace, the Auburn Mountainview High School cheer squad, Seattle’s Favorite Cookies, Legendary Doughnuts, MyHOA-Online.com and Arthur Jacobsen Elementary.

In addition to the bake sale, the Gene Juarez Academy has donated 100 free shampoo-haircut-and-blow dry cards to benefit the family. The cards, a $15 value, will be available at the bake sale for $5 minimum donations.

To purchase cards before the event, email JustForJustin@MyHOA-online.com.

All proceeds from the events will go to the family.

Backyard work

TeamJustin has turned the Lazaras’ unfinished backyard (see photo below) into a safe, worry-free place for Justin to play outside with his 5-year-old sister, Corinne.

While Justin is undergoing treatment, he must avoid public places due to the risk of infection associated with his chemotherapy-weakened immune system.

Project Backyard included removing weeds and old grass, laying new sod, building a new fence and moving a playset to a permanent location.

In addition to help from neighborhood volunteers, the Bark King service of Kirkland provided top soil and other services at a significantly discounted rate, according to the family.

You can help

To donate or for more information, email JustForJustin@MyHOA-online.com.

Donations also may be made at any Chase Bank Branch to the Justin Lowell Lazara Donation Account.