ELY - Team Zeke kicked it in to high gear earlier this month as many supporters in the Ely area gathered at the Longbranch in Winton to help raise financial support for the Urbas family and to raise money for the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota

Zeke Urbas was diagnosed last July with Embroynal Rhabdomyosarcoma Stage 2 Group 3 of the prostate/bladder. The brave boy continues to go about his life despite the challenges and setbacks of enduring the illness.

The benefit last Saturday featured a silent and live auction, raffles, taco dinner, games, kids’ activities and entertainment and more. Top raffle prizes included a Polaris side-by-side ATV, Zup’s on Lac La Croix fishing adventure, and a big-screen TV, sponsored by the Winton Rod and Gun Club.

Zeke, with the help of his grandfather and uncle, was stationed at a lemonade stand for part of the day, with breaks in-between to play with his dinosaurs.

Sadie Urbas posted an update on Zeke’s progress on the family’s fundraising page at www.caringbridge.org.

Zeke just reached the completion of a 43-week regimen of chemotherapy for Intermediate Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma. “The 43rd week will be completed on Monday, June 17 when Zeke has his end of treatment scans. We pray that he continues to stay NED (No Evidence of Disease),” she said.

She added, “Our last day of the big stuff had a few bumps. Zeke’s port was extra finicky and the nurse couldn’t get blood return for labs after flushing it. So they decided to de-access then re-access his port. Zeke was not happy about this at all. I feel for the guy, and Dave and I were both frustrated.”

Since Zeke was not hooked up, he was able to do physical therapy outside on the playground and play football with his physical therapist, she said. “Zeke absolutely loved this, especially running after the football and tackling it. Zeke did not wear his ‘super boots’ during this time and did well. It was noticeable toward the end that his left hip was getting weak and he would swing his left leg out a bit and trip more. So we knew it was time to end.”

She also noted, “Due to Zeke’s new love of plain bread, pretty sure he ate a whole loaf yesterday by himself, that his port wasn’t as noticeable under his skin. Our boy is up to 32.7 lbs all on his own.”

The completion of the major cancer treatment routine is a big relief for the family. “This ending to the big stuff after about 10 months feels like, instead of hanging on by our fingernails on a high speed merry-go-round, we now have about a middle knuckle grip and the speed is down to medium,” Sadie said.

“It is somewhat overwhelming as we were in high-speed fight mode and now the speed has been turned down. And we actually get to sit and realize what the heck we just went through for the last 10 months. We still have months to go of treatment but we are thankful to be where we are now and with the support and love we have had along the way.”

Sadie related the lyrics of a song she heard recently that hit home with her. “Life ain’t always beautiful, sometimes it’s just plain hard. Life can knock you down, it can break your heart. No, life ain’t always beautiful, tears will fall sometimes. Life ain’t always beautiful but it’s a beautiful ride.”

Country singer Gary Allan, who has long been Sadie’s favorite, performed that song. “I knew there was a reason I’ve always loved his music,” she said.

Check out the Urbas family Facebook page for more information on Zeke’s journey. To support the family, go to www.caringbridge.org.