Jan 6, 2007 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

Christopher Kula has had more than his share of medical problems. The 6-year-old boy from Greensburg spent the first 43 days of his life in the hospital. He was born 10 weeks premature and weighed slightly more than 3 pounds at birth.

Despite many trips to the hospital during his young life, the child overcame all of his health issues and grew into a normal little boy.

His parents, Jeffrey and Regina, had hope that their child would grow up healthy and happy, but this summer they were faced with every parent’s worst nightmare.

In June, Christopher complained of severe pain in his hip and was admitted to the hospital. After a series of tests, his parents were given the terrible news … Christopher had cancer.

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblast leukemia, the boy needs three years of chemotherapy, and already has been through six months of that treatment.

“He started with getting chemo every week, and then it went to every two weeks,” said Jeffrey Kula. “Now, he will get it once a month for a while. He has had several spinal taps so that the medicine doesn’t get into his central nervous system.”

While Christopher has inevitably gotten sick from his treatments, his father said he has handled more recent treatments very well.

Jeffrey Kula said that having a child diagnosed with cancer “definitely changes your life around. We have had to make a lot of unexpected trips to the hospital,” he said. “We have to watch his fevers very closely, and if he gets a fever over 101, we have to take him to the hospital for antibiotics.”

Christopher has been unexpectedly admitted to the hospital four times to receive antibiotics, and once he needed a blood transfusion.

Although his treatments would be difficult for anyone to endure, Christopher has made it through without losing his positive outlook.

“His spirits are still good and he’s very active,” said Jeffrey Kula.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has given Christopher something good to look forward to in granting him his wish of sending him and his family to Disney World on March 2.

“His favorite movies are ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Cars,'” said Jeffrey Kula. “So he wants to see Buzz Lightyear and Woody, and all the people from Toy Story.”

Christopher will return to school today for the first time this year. He has missed 67 days of school since he was diagnosed, and has worked with a teacher at home.

A Web site that is designed to help families with needs like the Kulas is available to help people send donations for Christopher.

On www.caringbridge.org/visit/christopherkula

, anyone interested can read more about Christopher’s story, see updates on his condition and send him good wishes. There is an account at National City that is set up to hold all donations for Christopher. Donations can be sent to National City Bank, 6084 Route 30, Greensburg, Pa. 15601 Attn: Robin Kozar. Those wishing to make a contribution are asked to send checks made out to Christopher Kula for his Leukemia fund.

Christopher’s family is in the process of planning a benefit to help meet Christopher’s needs. Until then, all contributions are greatly appreciated, the family said.