(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Kaylah Gonzalez came home from school Wednesday to find family, friends and Chicago Bears mascot Staley Da Bear in her driveway.
“It was a big surprise!” Gonzalez said. “I saw that there were a lot of people here when I was on my way from the bus, and I was walking with my friend like, ‘Why are there so many people here?’”
The 14-year-old Gonzalez has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia for the last 2 1/2 years.
Now in her freshman year at South Elgin High School, Gonzalez is counting down the days until November, when her treatment is expected to end.
To recognize her strength throughout treatment, Advocate Aurora partnered with the Bears to fly Gonzalez and her family to Green Bay this weekend for the Bears' game against the Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
“I’m just ready to go to a game,” she said. “I’ve never been to an actual game, so I’m excited.”
Gonzalez is a huge Bears fan and deserves to have a great time, her family said.
“She’s a fighter, she’s a warrior,” said Damaris Gonzalez, her mother. “She’s gone through a lot but she tells me, ‘Mom, I’ve got this.’”
“She’s really strong, she’s tough,” added her father, Luis. “Strong and positive, she gives strength to us.”
In addition to attending the game, Gonzalez will also get to send the Bears off from Soldier Field on Saturday and participate in a meet-and-greet with a few players.
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