Haunted house in Pleasant Hill to raise money for 12-year-old battling cancer
PLEASANT HILL, Calif. (KTVU) - One East Bay family held a haunted house to help a 12-year-old boy who's suffering from brain cancer.
The haunted house is located on Audrey Lane in Pleasant Hill and held by the Santini family who started this Halloween event last year to bring their community together.
This year, they say it's about celebrating Halloween in honor of a boy who's in the hospital.
The haunted house sits on the front lawn of the Santini family home – it's a western ghost town designed to chill and thrill.
"It’s a childhood favorite. I always loved Halloween,” Steven Santini, the creator of the haunted house, said. “I Love the smell in the air, the feel , dressing up and walking around in the streets. It just reminds me of being a kid.”
A 12-year-old family friend named Leo Kelly was at the haunted house last year dressed as “Chucky,” But he couldn’t be there tonight.
On Monday, the seventh grader was admitted into
Kaiser Hospital in Oakland for a second round of chemotherapy.
Leo is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer after being diagnosed in May.
"Just watching him when he did his first round of chemo, it was unbearable, how sick he was and how emotional he gets when his hair starts falling out," said Veronica Kelly, Leo's mother.
To help Leo and his family, the Santini's are asking for donations from visitors to the haunted house.
"I just hope that it makes him feel good that people care about him," said Kaylie Santini, Leo's friend.
Halloween is the fourth and final night this haunted house will be open.
The Santinis estimate more than four hundred people have visited the attraction to support Leo.
"We just feel so loved, for something this traumatic to happen to our family, it has brought us so close to so many people," says Veronica Kelly.
The goal is to raise $1000.
Leo's mom says it will go towards medication and other costs that insurance does not cover.
"You just realize how much good there is, how many people want to help you. It's just wonderful feeling." said Kelly.
Leo's mom and dad have missed work to be at their son's bedside. Mom describes Leo as a jokester who loves Halloween.
The hope is that next year he will be able to enjoy the festivities.