Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2019

80 www.MPMcalendar.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com feature E ach year, the parents of approximately 15,600 kids will hear the words “Your child has cancer,” according to CureSearch for Children’s Cancer. Across all ages, ethnic groups and socioeconomics, this disease remains the No. 1 cause of death by disease in children. One local company is creating a ray of sunshine in the lives of children with cancer. For the past three years, the KLH Group has brought the joy of participating in building a personalized clubhouse to over 20 children in the Lowcountry who become “the star” for the day. At least two of those children, Elia Ikonomidis and Cayden Burke, are from Mount Pleasant. Four-year-old Elia was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was 2½ years old. A good friend whose child also has ALL referred the Ikonomidis family to the KLH Group, a Charleston event company, founded by Hope Caldwell, that specializes in pairing social-impact service projects with corporate objectives. For the clubhouse builds, Caldwell matches companies and volunteers with the children’s families for a fun-filled day of building a unique, colorful playhouse for each child. Elia’s clubhouse build took place in June at The Cloister at Sea Island. Employees from The Cloister and Lowe’s home improvement store provided the materials and the volunteer labor. “It was a truly magical experience,” said Ashley Ikonomidis, Elia’s mother. “We felt so welcomed and loved by everyone. They let my 6-year-old son measure and help with the drill. They let Elia paint her flower boxes and shutters by herself.” Shortly after Ashley and her husband, Vasili, moved to the Lowcountry, their son Minos was diagnosed with autism. “Having children with special needs can be incredibly isolating,” said Ashley. “The KLH Group gave my daughter a safe, exciting place to play. … A place to be a kid when too often she is expected to be braver and stronger than most adults. So much of her childhood has been stolen by cancer. Caldwell and her team embraced us, surrounded us with positivity and love, and let our kids’ imaginations run wild. We built a clubhouse, but, more importantly, we built memories and lasting friendships. We couldn’t be more grateful.” Jennifer and Brandon Burke of Mount Pleasant found out their son Cayden had ALL just a few days shy of his fourth birthday on Oct. 30, 2015. Today, Cayden is 7 years old, in remission and doing well. Jennifer learned about the clubhouse builds from Ashley. Cayden and the Burke family helped build his one-of-a-kind playhouse at Marion Square on Aug. 8. “Cayden and his little brother Rylan were able BY TONYA MCGUE Photo provided by Ashley Ikonomidis. Clubhouses for Children with Cancer Building a Place to Dream, Imagine a d Play Elia’s new playhouse is just the right size for her.