HALLAM, Pa. — A York County mother and son are thanking the community for its support after experiencing unimaginable loss earlier this year.
On Saturday, the Hallam Township community gathered outside the Tourist Inn to welcome their guests of honor.
15 -year-old Joshua Lopez has been fighting a deadly disease for the past year.
“I’ve been battling cancer since May 4 from osteosarcoma lung cancer but I’m getting chemo treatment for that,” Lopez said.
While undergoing chemotherapy at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Lopez’s family experienced an unimaginable tragedy.
Lopez’s father and two young siblings, a sister and brother, were killed in a housefire in July.
“Today was my day at least, but it’s not going to feel the same without my siblings,” Lopez said.
In the months that followed, Lopez’s mother Lilly DeJesus met Annette Fullerton, owner of the Tourist Inn.
“As soon as I talked to Lilly, as soon as I heard the story, I didn’t even have to meet Lilly, I knew we could help, I knew we could,” Fullerton said.
Fullerton’s father worked as a firefighter in York. She believes her father is taking care of Lopez’s family in heaven and watching over Joshua and his mother.
Fullerton and her business host a benefit auction every year with the proceeds benefiting a family in need. Many families benefited in the past had young children at the time.
Lopez and his mother are expected to receive every dollar raised during the 2023 auction.
“It’s going to put a big smile on Lilly’s face for the first time in a long time when we give her what we’ve raised,” Fullerton said.
And DeJesus will soon have another reason to smile.
“He’s [Joshua] going to finish chemo on the fifth and I am so happy he is going to finish his chemo and be a survivor of osteosarcoma, and I’m very proud of him,” DeJesus said.
Jon Spencer is a firefighter for the York City Fire Department. He and his team responded to the deadly fire at the Lopez home. They’ve stayed in contact with Joshua and his mother since, helping them rebuild after tragedy.
“Annette’s help them get set up with an apartment, we had some of our guys help out by moving some stuff in for them, get things set up so at least they can come home to something and hopefully relax a little bit,” Spencer said.
Donations can still be made to Lopez and his mother through the Tourist Inn Benefit Committee. Members of the committee are also asking anyone in the community at large to donate two headstones for Lopez’s siblings.