MONROE, CT — Remy Dubay was two months away from his second birthday when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He was born with Down syndrome and TMD (transient myeloproliferative disorder), a disorder specific to Down syndrome that increases his chances of developing cancer.
“He’s very smiley, happy: he’s an amazing little boy,” said Melanie Dubay of Monroe, the boy’s mother. “We unfortunately found a tiny rash on him in August. We got bloodwork done and were immediately whisked to the hospital.”
Remy has undergone a plurality of procedures at Yale New Haven Hospital since his diagnosis and, no matter the intensity, he is still the same cheerful boy, according to his mother.
“He’s had surgery and woke up with a smile,” Dubay said. “He’s just a joy.”
Now, about a month later, a charity event hosted by the Masuk High School Field Hockey team will raise money to assist the Dubay family during this difficult time. Apart from the insurmountable emotional toll that comes with a situation like this, financials are another area of concern.
The Dubay family will be the beneficiary when the Panthers take on Bethel at Masuk’s Benedict Stadium this Wednesday at 7 p.m. in their “Sticking it to Cancer” fundraiser, the 10th annual Cancer Awareness Game, which always sponsors a Monroe family.
“We have already had a number of expenses coming up,” Dubay said. “It’s gonna help so much with medical bills, which we haven’t even started seeing rolling in yet.”
The field hockey team got in contact with the Dubay family through Stepney Elementary School teacher and field hockey assistant coach, Laura Lawlor.
Lawlor had already known the family through school, as she had Remy’s older sister as a student a few years ago. And after hearing about Remy’s diagnosis, Lawlor knew she had found a family to support for the charity game.
“There will be 50/50 raffles. Three winners will be drawn,” Lawlor said. “One will be for the 50/50. And we have two other gift cards that we raffle off. We do a bake sale. The family is supposed to be coming as long as Remy is feeling well enough.”
Last year, the field hockey team sponsored Dawn Davis. The team was able to raise about $2,000 for her through the charity game. Sadly, she has since passed away from breast cancer.
Since their son’s diagnosis, Dubay said her family has been overwhelmed by the support of people in the Monroe community.
“It’s making us so happy to see that so many people who have never met us in the community, who have never met Remy or our family, are rallying together to support him and to support us,” she said. “And we’re just so grateful for that. And we’re thankful obviously for Mrs. Lawlor and the team, but especially for the community that is letting all this happen and making all this happen.”
Those unable to attend the game can make digital donations through Venmo: @Masuk-FieldHockey.
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