Community shows support
for one very courageous child

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Ian Roonan was born with neurofibromatosis, a disease that affects one in 3,000 children and causes tumors.
The tumors can be harmless, with just 1 percent of children developing serious brain tumors.
"He was unlucky to be the one with a tumor," said Ken Roonan, Ian’s father.
Ian, a 6-year-old who will graduate from the St. Martha School kindergarten on Friday, has been healthy for most of his life.
Earlier this year, though, the Far Northeast youngster started to experience problems. His eyes would droop and twitch. He had some trouble seeing the blackboard in school and his handwriting suffered. When he told his mom he saw five red lights at one intersection as they drove on Academy Road, Tina Roonan knew it was time for her son to see a doctor.
The boy had an MRI test on Feb. 22, and about two weeks later, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
Since then, he’s been undergoing chemotherapy treatments on Mondays at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The treatments are intensive and usually force Ian to miss school on Tuesdays.
"I’ve seen adults on chemo, and this is a six-year-old kid," his dad said.
Ian, who lives on Pelle Circle, also takes medication and attends occupational therapy classes. He has some brown marks — called "café au lait spots" — on his face and neck due to his condition. The brawny youth has lost 16 pounds.
Still, the boy looks healthy and has a great attitude.
"He’s had a tough road and is very sick after the chemo, but he’s a trouper," his mom said. "He never complains. He’s strong. He’s courageous."
In fact, during an "Ice Cream for Ian" benefit last week at the St. Martha parish hall, Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis O’Brien presented the youngster with a "Certificate of Courage."
On Friday morning, Ian will join the other kindergarten students for graduation. The kids will be feted with a luau breakfast.
The next big day on Ian’s calendar is Monday. That’s when he’ll undergo another MRI to see if the chemotherapy has been successful in shrinking the tumor.
Ian and his family are hoping for some good news for his long-term prognosis. They also want to be in good spirits for a big bash being thrown for them on Saturday, June 14.
That night, hundreds of family and friends will gather in the parish hall for a benefit to cover some of the medicine and hospital bills, co-pays and other costs associated with Ian’s care.
The capacity in the parish hall is 640, and organizers are hoping to push the limit. The parents running the benefit got a late start, but plans are coming together.
Philadelphia Gas Works employees — Tina Roonan has worked at the utility company for 25 years — are donating the beer.
Bensalem’s Golden Corral restaurant is supplying the food.
Other individuals and businesses have been so generous that there will be at least 50 gift baskets auctioned off that night.
Organizers have had no trouble rallying support for the cause.
"They say, ‘What can we do to help,’ " said Mary Devlin.
The kindergarten parents and others chipping in say it’s hard not to feel a fondness for the family, which also includes Ian’s 8-year-old sister Corinne, a second-grader at St. Martha.
Ken Roonan is unable to work because of a stroke. His wife works long hours and cares for the rest of her family, always with a smile on her face and never complaining.
"The community has given them a group hug," said Virginia Schofield, another organizer.
Ian Roonan has become a celebrity in the hallways at St. Martha. All of the students know him, and they chanted his name last week during the school’s annual Red and White Night.
The youth, with his hair dyed red and white, held the American flag during opening ceremonies while a classmate sang God Bless America. He later participated in egg on spoon, frog on head and ice cream cone races.
The boy’s favorite band is the Rolling Stones, and he especially likes the song Brown Sugar. He has varying musical tastes, as he’s also a fan of Nickelodeon’s Naked Brothers Band. Other favorites include cheesecake and Wawa’s cappuccino.
At lunch time, he can’t run around like the other students, but he and his best buddy, Michael Schofield, play Legos and the card game War.
Before his current health issue, Ian was very active. He played some soccer, but he really loved the physical nature of football. He played defense last fall for the Liberty Bell Patriots.
"He loves sacking the quarterback," his dad said.
This season, coaches have told Ian that he can be an assistant and call some plays.
That kind of spirit from the coaches has been shown by the entire community.
The two-night ice cream event raised an estimated $5,000. St. Martha School has also held fund-raisers such as "Hats on for Ian" and "Home Run for Ian."
The Archbishop Ryan High School boys lacrosse team hosted Ian for a game. He walked to midfield before the game with captains and flipped the coin. The team gave him a stick, ball and shirt.
The 8th Police District presented him with a badge and T-shirt.
Speaker O’Brien and Chalfont Playground paid for the ice cream, and the Phillies supplied the mini-helmets where kids and adults topped their favorite flavor with cherries and whipped cream. O’Brien’s office has secured additional coverage for Ian’s occupational therapy sessions.
Kim Volz, the kindergarten teacher, takes special care of Ian. The other students understand that their classmate has a bump in his head.
Ken Roonan calls Volz an "angel."
"She takes care of Ian like he’s her own," Tina Roonan said.
The Roonans are grateful for the outpouring of support.
"It’s been overwhelming," Ken Roonan said. "This parish is something else."
Added Tina Roonan: "The school, church and whole community has been wonderful to us. The whole community has wrapped their arms around us and hugged us."
On Friday night, Ian ended the ice cream fund-raiser by presenting flowers to Volz, principal Karen Donofry and teacher’s aide Linda Murphy and giving a hug to the Rev. Al Masluk, pastor at St. Martha. He took the microphone and had a message for all.
"Thank you everyone for helping me get rid of my bump," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com

How to help Ian . . .
A beef-and-beer benefit for Ian Roonan will take place Saturday, June 14, at 7 p.m., at St. Martha parish hall, at 11321 Academy Road.
Tickets cost $25. There will be a disc jockey and Chinese auction.
To purchase tickets or for more information, write to kheart107@aol.com
Donations can be sent to Ian Roonan Fund, Beneficial Bank, 3200 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114.