Published: July 11, 2009 11:53 pm      

Ailing Windber boy hopes to bring cheer to others

WINDBER — Seven-year-old Brent Swaltek is fighting for his life at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

The son of Windber police officer and East Hills Ambulance paramedic Keith Swaltek, Brent was diagnosed Wednesday with leukemia.

“He’s is very sick and undergoing treatment,” Windber police Sgt. Rick Skiles said.

His own illness hasn't stopped the courageous youngster from wanting to help other seriously ill children.

While in the hospital, Brent noticed the Band-Aid he received from the nurse after his blood work was a dull color.

He told his family that cartoon Band-Aids and colorful ones would make children feel better.

Skiles said the youngster is determined to collect Band-Aids that make kids smile.

Now Windber police are collecting for “Brent’s Band-Aids.”

Colorful Band-Aids, or ones with cartoon characters, are being collected at the police department from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

More than 60 boxes already have been collected.

Skiles said the effort is spreading.

Brent’s cousin, Madalynn Swaltek, will have a booth to collect Band-Aids at the Richland Township Municipal Building during Richland Community Days on Aug. 14 and 15.

“Hopefully, it will brighten up the lives of some seriously ill children,” Skiles said.

The term leukemia refers to cancers of the white blood cells.

Leukemia accounts for about 25 percent of all childhood cancers and affects about 2,200 youngsters in this country each year, according to children’s health Internet sites.

It wasn’t immediately clear how far Brent’s disease has progressed, but Skiles believes doctors diagnosed it early.

Windber police are taking a bolder step to help Brent.

As chemotherapy claims his hair, many officers will shave their heads as a tribute, Skiles said.

“Call us Brent’s Baldy’s,” Skiles said while scanning the police roster searching for likely volunteers.

To help pay Brent’s medical expenses, a checking account has been opened in his father’s name at Somerset Trust Co.