Staff Intern

DAVENPORT — It was hats on to Lily Boynton, a kindergartner at Charlotte Valley Central School in Davenport.

Many students and staff at the school wore hats Tuesday to show their support for Lily, a 6-year-old whose chemotherapy treatments for liver cancer caused her to lose her hair.

Lily was first diagnosed with cancer at age 2 and received a liver transplant two years ago. Recently, the cancer returned and she began chemotherapy.

"She's very strong," said Ron Boynton, Lily's grandfather who — along with wife Helen — also is Lily's guardian.

Lily has been home-schooled for much of the year, so Tuesday was her first time back at school.

"Lily was so overwhelmed (by the event)," said her grandmother, Helen Boynton. "Today she was up in five minutes and ready to go to school."

The hats-on event was organized by Coby Holowacz, Lily's teacher.

"The children were really excited," Holowacz said. "Every day they'd ask, 'When is Lily coming?'"

Holowacz said the work done by Kari VanDenburgh, a child cancer program educator, was important in preparing the children and helping them understand what Lily was going through.

VanDenburgh went to the school, explained how chemotherapy works and answered questions the children had. During her presentation to the class, VanDenburgh showed a Charlie Brown film about friends who stood up for a girl with cancer.

"Lily's very outgoing, a social bird," Holowacz said. "When we're missing a child, we're missing a major part of our class."

The local community raised almost $1,000 in support of Lily through donations and a bake sale at the school.

"This is wonderful," said Helen Boynton. She said the money will help the family travel to Nebraska for a second surgery or liver transplant.

Cards or donations for Lily may be made to Helen and Ron Boynton, 206 Mead Road, Charlotteville, NY 12036.