Actress and Kentucky native Jennifer Lawrence along with her brother are doing their part to help a young Louisville girl recover from her battle with leukemia.
Hadley Mercer was diagnosed at only six months old. She recently celebrated her first birthday in the hospital with her parents and two older sisters. Hadley has undergone 20 spinal taps and chemotherapy treatment for months to battle her aggressive cancer. She received a bone marrow transplant in April, and the family has learned the chemo and transplant worked.
There have been some bright spots along the way. In December, Lawrence, who is a family friend, visited Hadley and other children at the hospital.
“She (Jennifer Lawrence) had to put on a gown and mask and she came in and saw Hadley and gave her a signed poster,” said Ashlie Mercer, Hadley’s Mother. “It will be cool when Hadley is older.”
“She’s always had a soft spot for children, and especially sick children, so that was kind of what led to her going down there – help the family,” said Ben Lawrence, Jennifer Lawrence’s Brother.
Ben is helping organize a block party through the company he co-owns, Louisville Geek, along with several other businesses.
The money raised at the block party this Saturday, June 21 will help the Mercers pay their medical bills.
Ben says they expect one item up for auction to be especially popular: a trip to a private island in Belize arranged by the Oscar-winning actress, an island she herself has visited.
Jennifer Lawrence has also donated signed memorabilia from the Hunger Games and American Hustle to be auctioned at the block party.
