FREEBURG, Ill. — Students and staff at school districts across the Metro East and southern Illinois are wearing pink as a show of support for a little girl fighting for her life.
Jozie Kraemer, 7, is undergoing surgery to remove a tumor that was just discovered last week.
No matter where you look in Freeburg it’s easy to see signs of support for Jozie.
“She’s a bundle of joy,” cheerleading coach Allison Raish said. “She comes in with a smile from ear to ear, and she makes my job. I love it. I love coming in and seeing her face.”
On Aug. 19, Jozie got sick at school with what was believed to be a stomach bug.
“By the next day, about 3:30 in the afternoon, she was going to the doctor to get some GI tests, and she went into a seizure and mini stroke,” Amy Thoma said. “They were worried she wasn’t going to wake up from that.”
Doctors at Children’s Hospital quickly discovered Jozie was fighting a tumor.
“The first time her mom told me it was a cry fest for a bit,” Raish said.
It was a similar reaction across many southern Illinois communities where students wore pink as a show of support for a little girl many of them had never even met.
“I have my pink,” Raish said. “I have my pink earrings, and she made me this, so I’m wearing this for her.”
Businesses across the region also jumped on board and a Columbia dentist even sang her a song.
“We’ve compared it to a movement just because of the way it has grown and touched every single person, whether or not they know Jozie or the Kraemer family,” Krista Lunz said.
Jozie’s prognosis is still unclear as doctors work to biopsy pieces of the tumor.
“I want everyone to pray for her,” Raish said. “Everyone.”
Family and friends said the 7-year-old will remain Jozie Strong thanks to the community's support.
“The first time I see her I’m going to give her a big hug,” Raish said. “Maybe I’ll make a bracelet and give it to her this time.”
Several local business owners told 5 On Your Side they are doing fundraisers and donation drives for Jozie.
Friends of the Kraemer family said they don’t need money, or even a meal train, but if anyone knows Taylor Swift, there is a sweet 7-year-old girl who would love to meet her.