The bone marrow tests took place after Drew suffered a seizure. After being followed by a neurologist who felt that his blood count was not where it should be, Drew was seen by a hematology/oncology doctor who did a bone marrow test that day. That was when they found out Drew had Leukemia.

"When he was diagnosed, they told us that he had the most common form of Leukemia, ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)," Drew's mother said.

At the time of his diagnosis, Drew, who was only 7 years old, did not really understand all that was happening around him.

"He really didn't understand what was going on with the cancer," Connie Comrey said. "He really had no idea what its was or what the cure rate was."

Once the diagnosis took place, a worker for the Four Diamonds Fund came to the aid of the Comrey family right away.

"They told us that if there was anything that we needed, they were willing to help financially, emotionally — whatever they could do," Connie Comrey said. "At that time, we were not even thinking about financial support. What we needed was emotional support and they were there for us all the way."

The family, especially Drew's 12-year-old sister, was scared because they did not know what lay ahead.

"My daughter was very upset," Connie Comrey said. "Sometimes they think, 'Is it going to happen to me?' and 'Is there something wrong with me?' "

Drew's grandmother, Emmie Faust, was devastated by the news.

"It was like the end of the world," Faust said.

The family's faith in God and prayer is what helped them through, Faust added.

"Once we accepted the cancer, we put a lot of faith in God and we just kept on going," Drew's mother said.

A relapse of cancer, which was found last week, has challenged the family once again and means another two years of treatment for Drew. His original treatment was supposed to be completed this August.

"Drew was upset in the beginning, but he never complained," Connie Comrey said. "He just gets done and goes about whatever he has to do."

Connie Comrey added that when your child is diagnosed with cancer, life goes on.

"When this happens to your child, your life can still be somewhat normal," she said. "He played baseball; he played soccer. It didn't stop him from doing anything and that is what is scary when your child is first diagnosed. Your life is just turned upside down, but he has been just so strong and has continued to do everything he did before."

This year's Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon will be the Comrey's third Thon and they are excited.

Drew, a boy of few words, said he is excited for Thon, especially meeting the athletes and playing with the dancers.

His mom on the other hand, had a few more words in regard to the event that she considers a nice getaway weekend for the families.

"We are in awe because it is so hard to believe that the students have put in so much time and energy into raising money for Four Diamonds," she said. "I don't even know how to describe it. You just feel so humble with everything they do."

Faust, who has not attended dance marathon in person but who has witnessed it through its coverage on the Internet, said the effect the weekend has on Drew is evident as soon as he comes home.

"He is just very excited," she said.