Robert’s Road Run for childhood cancer

The senior class of OHS will host Robert’s Road Run for cancer research and Golisano Children’s Hospital.

ONEIDA, N.Y. » On Sunday, May 20, 2018, the senior class of Oneida High School will host Robert’s Road Run in memory of Robert Grozl to raise money for future research and support the Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse and other children fighting cancer.

The class would love for the community to join them in the celebration of Robert’s spirit. Robert would be graduating this year and it will be a difficult time for his mom and brother. The class wants them to know Robert will not be forgotten and that they want to help others who are facing their own battles with cancer.

Those interested can help support the fight against cancer by participating, volunteering, donating or sponsoring.

Robert’s story

In the summer of 2014, Robert was elated by the idea he was starting high school in September. Every day that summer, he

walked to school and back before the school even began. He couldn’t wait to begin the new school year at Oneida High School as a freshmen.

In October of 2014, Robert began to feel tired. He went to play tennis with his brother and came back home feeling low on energy. Unlike him, he went straight to bed. The next day his family took him to the Emergency Room at Oneida Healthcare, where he was diagnosed with leukemia. Robert was rushed to the Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) in Syracuse, where he was further diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a form of cancer affecting the bone marrow.

Robert’s course of treatment consisted of intensive chemotherapy including high doses of chemotherapy drugs (medication administered directly into the central nervous system). He fought through every round of treatment, even attending his classes via a video conferencing system. This way he could interact with his peers and teachers at the high school. After six treatments in the hospital, he was in remission and sent home.

In September of 2015, Robert began his sophomore year at OHS. He participated in Mathletics and Science Olympiad, science being his favorite subject. Make-a-Wish Foundatation granted Robert’s wish to visit Australia and snorkle at the Great Barrier Reef. During the trip, Robert with his mother and brother visited several places in Australia, and even interacted with the local Aborigines, participating in their dance ceremony.

On March 13, 2016, Robert felt like he had a cold. He was pale and coughing a little bit. After being taken to the emergency room, the doctor said Robert had a flu, and that AML came back. Again, he was rushed to the GCH. Doctors started chemo immediately, and after a week of being in a regular hospital room, his condition worsened. He was sent to the intensive care unit. Over a course of two weeks in the ICU, Robert’s lungs slowly filled with water due to chemo complications and a weakened immune system. Robert was placed on a ventilator to help him breathe, but he passed away, surrounded by his family and friends.

Robert loved science, nature and people. He always wanted peace in the world, and strived to make everyone’s day a little better by talking to them, and most importantly, by being a great listener and an infinite source of advice and strength. His family all miss him, and he will forever remain in their hearts. He’s not replaceable, but his spirit and memories live inside of those who have known him, and especially at Mt. Hope, where a bench has been donated in Robert’s memory.

Robert Grozl