Community fights cancer

Staff writer

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Tristan and Brandon Boerio were in shock, not wanting to believe their 18-month-old son, Grayson, had cancer.

Diagnosed last June, Grayson’s parents were basically living in Lubbock during his treatments. Tuesday was his last immunotherapy treatment.

With her son’s cancer treatment at an end, Boerio will be walking for her son 6 p.m. Friday at the Portales Relay for Life in Greyhound Arena.

“After all the treatment he went through, I feel respect for all the families that have to look after someone with cancer,” Boerio said.

Boerio lives in Clovis but her mother, Laura Massey, the Portales High School nurse, started a relay team called Team Grayson. Boerio said Relay for Life is a way she can give back to the community, which helped her family through Grayson’s treatments.

Grayson endured four months of chemotherapy and six months of immunotherapy.

“There are things that I will never forget, like how his skin smelled after his chemotherapy and some nights sleeping in the crib with him,” Boerio said.

Boerio said her faith in God and having a huge support system helped her family through the rough times.

Boerio said her family was there through the summer, helping her and her husband through the long days in Lubbock. Churches and community members also donated money to help pay for his treatments and care.

“It was crazy how churches I have never been to or complete strangers just wanted to help. I owe so much to them and they were such a big help,” Boerio said.

Boerio said during Grayson’s treatments were a really hard time for her and she came out a new person from her experience.

“It is really hard to describe exactly what we went through. I can’t really explain it, but we were blessed to be in the community that we are in and to have such support was a blessing,” Boerio said.

Boerio along with some of her family members will be walking laps around Greyhound Arena for Grayson and others diagnosed with cancer.

The event includes a cancer survivor and caregiver dinner before the relay starts. Boerio will be attending.

The first lap of relay is for cancer survivors. Then, teams will start their laps.

Boerio said she is ready for Relay for Life and is ready to do her part helping fight cancer.