Coles Co. community steps up to support child with leukemia

COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Coles County community is stepping up this month to help a family in need.

Kristian “Bear” Beadles was diagnosed with leukemia last month. As he continues fighting, the Sheriff’s Office and one local business are right there in his corner.

“Kristian’s been in really great spirits,” said Ashley Hunter, Kristian’s mother. “The support he’s had has been a huge part of that.”

Kristian came home Saturday after a three-week stay at a hospital in St. Louis for treatment. Hunter said her 13-year-old son was diagnosed on June 11th.

“Initially, they stated it would be a 28-day stay, four to five weeks with him there, but he’s really tolerated the chemotherapy and all the other medications really well,” Hunter said. “And his numbers were stabilized, and he was looking great, so we were able to come home about a week early.”

They might’ve just begun their fight, but they won’t be fighting alone. Ginger Ale’s in Charleston selected Kristian to help fundraise for this month.

Owner Casey Walk said the business offers a centralized spot where the community can come to donate to help those in need.

“When people are going through hard times, everyone wants to do something for the family, but there’s really not a lot we can actually do for the family,” Walk said. “But it is really easy to give an extra dollar here and there.”

Customers can give donations or even leave change as they grab their orders. At the end of the month, all of it will go to the Beadles family.

“The funds that are collected will go towards travel, food over the next two years so we can get back and forth to the hospital, in addition to any hospital bills that aren’t covered by insurance,” said Butch Beadles, Kristian’s father.

The family is also seeing support from familiar places.

“There are things that we can do to give back and to help and maybe take some of that burden off of that family,” said Tyler Heleine, Chief Deputy of the Coles County Sheriff’s Office.

Kristian’s father Butch and his stepmother Kari are both Sheriff’s deputies.

“You’ve seen this with other people, and you always help other people, and you never thought it would actually be you,” Kari said. “And the fact that there are so many people who have reached out to every single one of us to lend support, even if it’s just an encouraging word, has just been a huge blessing.”

Chief Deputy Tyler Heleine said the department has begun their own fundraiser. They’re selling T-shirts on Facebook to raise awareness and money for the family.

“We’re a family, and when something like that happens, we’re all going to step up and try to do what we’d want other people to do for us,” Heleine said. “And it’s unbelievable what the officers here have done.”

For Kristian and his entire family, there is gratitude for all the help.

“Thank you for your support,” Kristian said.

The Ginger Ale’s fundraiser will continue until the end of the month.

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