Local gym raises funds for leukemia treatment

Emerald City Gymnastics is holding a fundraiser to help a fellow gymnast with medical costs from leukemia treatment.

The gym picks someone to raise money for every year, and this year the benefits will go to help Macy Slade-Tester with her cancer treatment.

Slade-Tester was diagnosed after arriving home from a honeymoon last year at age 22.

According to the Emerald City web page, the couple learned of the cancer after receiving tests at an emergency room when Slade-Tester went in for a sore throat.

The couple had to rent an Airbnb to receive treatment at the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Through all of this, Macy handled the diagnosis with courage and grace. Ready to battle, she remained extremely upbeat and positive,” the post said.

They were able to return to a normal life after the cancer went into remission, but in May the couple learned it was back.

Emerald City is trying to raise $35,000 to help the couple with costs.

One young gymnast is doing her part to lend a hand, too.

Ella Saucerman spends more than 20 hours a week practicing at the gym and decided to make orange and silver key chains she sold at the Redmond QFC on Dec. 2.

“I feel really blessed to be like raising money to help her with her leukemia cancer so she can actually like pay for her treatment,” Ella said.

Ella’s mother, Kara Saucerman, said the gym will also be bringing in Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez, 17, to help raise funds.

Hernandez won a medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics for the U.S. gymnastics team and in the team event received a silver medal on the balance beam.

She also won the 2016 “Dancing With The Stars” season and has appeared in an episode of “Stuck in the Middle.”

Another fundraiser will be held on Dec. 21 at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse in Redmond (7211 166th Ave. N.E.), where 20 percent of all donations will be given to the fundraiser if customers present a flier that will be passed out.

Fundraising by the gym will run through Feb. 7, 2018.