13-year-old boy donates stuffed animal collection to boy with leukemia


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WEST VALLEY CITY — Dozens of people are hoping to help a 4-year-old boy battling cancer.

Ethan Van Leuven was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, at 22 months old. After years of treatment, his family was told Ethan has a few days to several weeks to live.

Family and neighbors are now creating a week of holidays for the family to remember. Complete strangers are asking to be a part of the boy’s final days.

West Valley boy Diego Torres, 13, is donating stuffed animals he’s collected over the years.

“It’s just heart-breaking,” he said.

Diego won the stuffed animals playing claw machines with his mother. He started the game when his mother was diagnosed with melanoma. The activity brought them closer together. Digeo didn’t think his mother would make it.

“You just never know,” he said.

It’s been four years, and the cancer has cleared. Diego hopes the stuffed animals give Ethan the same comfort they gave him.

“I’m going to say (to him), live life to the fullest today, because you never know when it’s going to be over,” Diego said.

Diego will give the stuffed animals to Ethan this weekend.

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