ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park girl in remission after a two-year cancer fight continues her plight to help other kids in the throes of similar battles.
Isla Dorsey, 7, who fought rhabdomyosarcoma, always told her mother Danielle that she wanted to organize a lemonade stand, for three summers now, she's fulfilled that dream. The inaugural event in 2024 raised $6,000 for Project Fire Buddies, a volunteer-led effort by local fire departments to show support for children battling critical illness and their families. Last year's event raised $5,000 cash and $1,000 in Project Fire Buddies swag sales.
"I am truly humbled at the continued love and support our family continues to receive," Dorsey said Thursday. "This year we had one goal in mind, to raise more for Project Fire Buddies than we did last year. I am honored to say we absolutely did just that."
The totals for this year's event blew past previous years', with $8,700 raised, plus $730 in Fire Buddies Swag sales, for a total of $9,430 to give more kids even "more good days," Dorsey said—referencing a motto the organization shares.