Blood, bone marrow drive held for 2-year-old Beverly boy with cancer

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A blood and bone marrow drive was held Sunday for 2-year-old Beau Dowling, a Chicago boy battling a brain tumor.

Several people came out to support Beau, who lives in the Beverly neighborhood on the South Side. The toddler was diagnosed last September with Stage 3 neuroblastoma.

"He's endured seven rounds of chemo, one stem cell transplant and next Monday we will be going in for our second stem cell transplant," said Meg Dowling, Beau's mother.

The drive was held at Saint John Fisher Parish and was hosted by Life Source and Chicago Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th Ward).

"We are at a critical point now with blood centers across the country headed into the summer months when they are really in need," O'Shea said.

Jim Dowling, Beau's dad, said the drive was amazing.

"Our son has probably had a zillion blood transfusions. You just don't know how this could affect other families," he said.

Patrick Kordas, who was touched by Beau's story, donated blood because he wanted to do his part to help.

"I have seen them around the parish. That's all. I just got friends that know them and I figure I will give blood," Kordas said.

Beau is the Dowling family's youngest of seven.

The family now spends most of their time at the hospital with Beau and don't know where they would be without the support from the community.

Beau has about a year of treatment ahead of him and his mom said he's a tough little boy.

In fact, after one blood transfusion, Beau was playing baseball in the hospital hallway.

For more information about being a donor, visit: https://join.bethematch.org/LSMW042017