AUBURN - Through a live Web-cam transmission at the Holiday Inn in Auburn, 12-year-old Daniel Biljanoski and his mother, Lisa, watched and participated in a benefit held in Daniel's honor as he continued treatment for a rare and aggressive brain tumor in Tennessee.

In November, Daniel was diagnosed with a rare Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor which took up 25 percent of his brain. Doctors told Daniel and his family that less than 2 percent of the world's population got the tumor and those that did were usually under the age of 3. Most children who develop the tumor die within 4 months of being diagnosed.

But Daniel, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., after having surgery at University Hospital in Syracuse, hopes to return home in August.

“Aug. 2 is the date we hope to return but that is based on how well he does,” Lisa said. “We will have to return to (St. Jude) every third month and the doctors will have to follow him for the next 10 years. We won't know if the treatment was successful for another 8 years.”

Medical and travel expenses were what brought the Auburn community together as friends and family tried to raise money to support Daniel. Karol Soules, who helped put on the benefit, said auction items, raffle and door prizes were all donated by more than 300 community businesses and national organizations.

The auction had more than $1,000 in items such as a romantic get away for two at Auburn's Springside Inn, two Dr. Pepper bikes, four Yankees tickets, two Mets tickets and signed sports memorabilia by NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Tim Connelly of the Buffalo Sabres and former Auburn Doubleday's pitcher Billy Wagner, who now plays for the Mets.

Adding to the big ticket auction items were various community members and organizations giving special recognition to Daniel.

Auburn Mayor Michael Quill said March 30 would be a day of recognition for Daniel Biljanoski's bravery, while state Sen. Michael Nozzolio wrote a letter to Daniel and his family commemorating their courage and the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office made Daniel an honorary deputy.

Even though Daniel could not be at the event in person to say thank you, he was able to speak to the banquet hall filled with more than 1,000 people through the Web-cam.

“Thank you guys so much,” Daniel said, as a projector showed him speaking from an auditorium in Memphis. “It's just great knowing the community always cares.”

Daniel's mother was also grateful for the overwhelming support they had received from St. Jude, the community members and the event organizers.

“These people are tired at the end of their day,” Lisa said. “And to see what everyone is doing is overwhelming.

“They have dedicated so much free time to help out another family. I really just don't know how to say thank you properly.”

Lisa added that with the help Daniel received with his studies while at St. Jude, she hopes he will be able to continue into the eighth grade along with the rest of his classmates in September.

Daniel's father, Krste, who was at the event in Auburn, said he was too overwhelmed by the community's kindness to explain his gratitude.

“Even the best poet could not put these feelings into words,” Krste said, as he made his way around the room shaking hands and saying hello to his friends and family in attendance.

Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net

To help out

Monetary contributions can be mailed to Susan Orman, 21 Swift St., Auburn, NY 13021. Checks should be made payable to Daniel's Journey.

For additional information contact:

• Karol Soules at dkcorcon@adelphia.net or 255-1691

• Lori Pisciotti-Panek at loripw14@aol.com or 255-2160