BILLINGS - The NILE Rodeo is in town this weekend, and Saturday the cowboys handed the reigns over to a group of kids. Their feet don't even reach the stirrups. There's something these kids don't want to think about right now.
Because it's something they and their families have to think about every other day. Aaron Frank, the father of 11-year-old Justin Frank says, "My wife called me. I was at work, and when I walked into the emergency room she was in the foyer there. They had Justin in a room." They don't want to think about pills, doctors, hospitals. They don't want to think about cancer. Justin Frank was diagnosed with Leukemia two and a half years ago.
Aaron says, "Kind of got slapped in the face." Parents say there's nothing harder in the whole world than watching their child suffer. Aaron continues, "I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy." Watching their child lose their hair, lose that glow of youth. Aaron also says, "Somebody who was so vibrant a month or two ago has just nothing left."
His son Justin says, "I couldn't walk. I lost all my strength." Justin's mother, Paula Frank, says, "I would actually have to hook him up and use syringes and put medicine into him."
Justin says, "My biggest fears were needles." Parents watch their child miss out on something as simple as a hunting trip, things other kids take for granted. Justin says, "I missed out on a lot of stuff." But right now they get to forget thanks to Kids and Cowboys. The group pays for everything to insure the kids have a good time, including riding the horses, a dinner and the rodeo and even transportation. And for Justin, there's a happy ending.
Aaron says, "Four weeks from Friday we'll leave for his first hunting trip." His leukemia is in remission. Paula says, "We can finally be done with Justin take your pills everyday." And thanks to Kids and Cowboys and the support of so many, the Frank family has hope.
Aaron wants to tell others, "Hang in there. It does get better. It's awfully black at first. Awfully dark, but there is light at the end of tunnel."
If you'd like the support of kids and cowboys give Tim Crowley a call at 259-0282.