By Tammy Marashlian
Signal Staff Writer
Every year, 8-year-old Evan Hutchison would ask his mom, Kimberly, if they could decorate their house for the holiday season.
And every year, the single mother of two would have to tell Evan, diagnosed with pre B high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia, that the family had no way of buying lights and decorations to put up.
But this year, members of Team in Training's Eastside Triathlon Team, part of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, dedicated their Saturday afternoon to making their honor teammate's holiday wish come true.
Throughout the day, about 15 team members and family friends helped put together all the donated decorations. When the final string of lights was plugged in, Evan and his family switched on the power to showcase the day's hard work.
While in the front yard, Team in Training fundraising captain Heather Edwards and team member Katrina Bowman put together a lawn decoration.
"We see this as another opportunity to make their lives special," Edwards said.
Evan, a third-grader at Highlands Elementary School, wanted his house to be so bright "that the astronauts could see it from outer space." So, Team in Training got the help of David Abadi of locally owned David Electrical to make sure the lights were safe.
"We will be here until night to test and make sure that everything is OK," Abadi said, while untangling a bunch of lights.
Cyn Rivera, who works with Abadi, was happy to be part of the event.
"It feels good," she said. "I like this kind of stuff."
Hutchison said watching the volunteers decorate the house felt "absolutely amazing."
"He's been asking questions about it all week," she said, while looking at her son watch the lights go up on the roof.
Because Evan is in his sixth month of a three-year chemotherapy treatment, he was unable to decorate due to his weak immune system.
Hutchison said that her son is undergoing phase four of the treatment, the most intense phase. However, so far he is tolerating the chemotherapy and is in remission.
Evan's battle has earned him the nickname of "The Warrior." The name came from his grandfather, who gave Evan a warrior's weapon when he was in the hospital after being diagnosed with leukemia in May.
Hutchison said the weapon gives Evan strength to "fight the fight of his life."
To find out more about Evan, the family has set up a Web site at www.evanthewarrior.com.
tmarashlian@the-signal.com