6-year-old creates lemonade stand in Ogden, supporting young cousin battling brain cancer

OGDEN, Ill. (WCIA) — For most 2-year-olds, this stage of life includes milestones such as learning how to talk and walk. But, Forest Chandler in St. Joseph has spent the last six months hooked up to machines in the hospital instead.

“Forest is full of life, love, and joy,” Jessica Vire, his aunt, said. “He can just put a smile on anyone’s face.”

Life was as normal as it could be for the 20-month-old until his parents noticed he was scratching his arm more than usual. Then, they realized he also stopped using that side more and more.

On Christmas in 2023, Josh and Celeste Chandler saw the red flags intensify. Their son was falling over and his pupils looked a little different. They took him to the emergency room, which turned into something much bigger.

“They did an MRI of his brain and found a tumor,” Vire said. “Then they told him he needed to be transferred to Peoria.”

Doctors did emergency surgery and removed most of the tumor from his spine. It was Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma, a rare brain cancer . The surgery left Forest paralyzed from the neck down and in a St. Louis hospital.

“He’s been in rehab since then,” Vire described. “Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy.”

While every day is different, one thing remains the same. His parents have never left his side, but that means a whole other set of challenges. Both Josh and Celeste are now without jobs and have no income.

That’s where Vire and her 6-year-old daughter Sophie come in. She wanted to host a lemonade stand to raise money, while Vire made a GoFundMe . It has raised more than $28,000 so far.

Sophie has raised $135 all on her own while pouring glasses of lemonade with family in Ogden. She’s ready to have him back at home to play in Illinois!

Meanwhile, Vire will keep supporting her family in any way she can.

“They have been through a lot, even outside of this,” she said. “Just the resilience they have to get up and show up for their kid every day is amazing.”

As for Forest’s outlook, Vire said he is progressing and regaining strength in his upper body. He gets an MRI every three months and they hope he can come home in the fall.

If you’d like to learn more or donate to the family, visit this link.

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