August “Auggie” Baker, 4, is like many other kids. He loves being outside, pizza and Spider-Man. However, while he was riding his tricycle or playing games for the past two and a half years, he was also battling cancer.
At just two years old Auggie was diagnosed with Leukemia during a regular wellness check-in. According to his mom, Samantha Baker, Auggie accepted most of the treatments thrown at him positively.
“Most of the nurses were like, ‘He does amazing, he just does fantastic with all of this,’” Samantha Baker said.
As of Jan. 24, Auggie is a cancer-free kid again.
Auggie was granted a wish for a “pizza parlour-themed backyard playset” funded by the Make-A-Wish foundation. This organization provides wishes for children with critical illness, according to its website.
The WKU chapter of Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) collaborated with other WKU Greek organizations to host a surprise pizza party to celebrate Auggie’s remission at his home on Sunday. Organizations and attendees brought gifts tailored to Auggie’s favorite hobbies and things, including play food sets, Spider-Man toys and more.
Samantha Baker expressed her excitement for her son. She explained that Auggie hasn’t been able to play at public playgrounds often due to his risk of being infected by other kids. Auggie was required to go to the hospital if he got even a fever, as his port could get infected.
“It’s just a relief to do normal things,” Samantha Baker said.
ATO President Hank Larkin explained that the party kicked off the organization’s Philanthropy Week. The fraternity spent about a month planning and organizing the party to honor Auggie.
“It 110 percent was all worth it when he (Auggie) came out there,” Larkin said. “He had the biggest smile on his face. He was joyful, cheerful; you would never have been able to realize that this little four-year-old kid had been battling cancer for the last couple years.”
Larkin explained that Make-A-Wish recognizes ATO’s Zeta Omega Chapter as a viable philanthropic source. In 2024, ATO raised over $13,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“I think that, in essence, is what Greek life is for at the end of the day,” Larkin said. “For communal projects, for people coming together, for scholars coming together, for leaders coming together.”
ATO’s Philanthropy Week will continue through Thursday, hosting various events and continuing to accept donations. Additionally, each member is attempting to raise money through a Philanthropy bingo card. All proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“I’m overjoyed that the community is this involved,” Samantha Baker said. “They’re there for us. They want to celebrate him and that’s amazing.”
