Three hundred tickets were sold for a benefit dinner at the American Legion Hall in Altamont on Saturday.  The line ran out the door, causing the harried volunteers serving the meal to wonder whether there would be enough food for everyone.

Purzycki, diagnosed with leukemia in January, was in high spirits despite the treatments he had received the day before, including platelet transfusion and chemotherapy. 

“It’s a miracle,” said his grandmother, Penny Purzycki. “The doctors just couldn’t believe it.  He has so much energy that I have to sit him down on the couch when he’s with me.” 

Devon is on medicine that prevents his blood from clotting and even small injuries could become serious.  His grandmother said she is not about to let that happen.

“Not on my watch,” she said firmly while she helped clear a table.  Her husband, Robert Purzycki, is the President of the Altamont American Legion and Devon’s grandfather.

The Legion Hall was completely full, and Vicki Van Aucken, the organizer and the president of the American Legion Auxiliary and a good friend of the family, said her first reaction when Devon was diagnosed was to prepare for the expenses of treatment.

“We had to start raising money; we had to get right on this, because it was going to be expensive,” said Van Aucken.

Dinner was served to 336 people and the benefit generated over $11,000; volunteers for the event included members of the Colonie fire department and Boy Scout Troop 264.

  Devon’s mother, Beth Purzycki, looked weary but hopeful as Devon energetically snapped the orange cancer-awareness bracelet on her wrist.

“He’s doing well, and we’re so happy about that.  He’s on the third month of a 30-month treatment plan, so he’s got a long way to go, but he’s doing so well.”

Donations for Devon’s treatment may be made at the Altamont American Legion or the Citizen’s Bank located at the 20 Mall in Guilderland.