Family of 6-year-old Copper Country child asks for help in cancer fight

HANCOCK, Mich. (WLUC) - The family of six-year-old Phlilp Warstler is asking for help in his fight against Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Philip’s mother is Whitney Warstler, a member of the Hancock City Council and the Hancock Area Library Board. The Hancock City Council is considering accepting her resignation from these positions at Wednesday’s meeting, along with the resignation of Philip’s father, Adam Griffis, from the city planning commission. Whitney emailed us the following statement regarding this situation:

‘Thankfully, his (Philip’s) prognosis is good, but his treatment will be intensive, particularly over the first eight months. He is being treated at St. Vincent’s Children’s Hospital in Green Bay, and as a family, we have decided to be closer to the hospital during this time.’

Due to moving to Green Bay, Whitney is asking Hancock residents not to vote for her and to select a different candidate.

‘If I were elected, the council would need to appoint someone to fill the seat, and I believe that choice should remain with the voters. So many have asked how to help, and we are deeply grateful for the love and support our community has shown us.’

Whitney asks that the community keeps Philip in their prayers and is looking forward to returning and serving the community again once this is over.

Philip’s family launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the family’s relocation, medical expenses and commuting costs. We spoke with two of his aunts, Bailey Warstler and Page Steadman, who started the fundraiser.

“I’m used to videoing him and his sister several times a week,” Bailey said. “When I do that now, I get five minutes of Philip’s time before he kind of konks out. He’s just going through so much right now... He’s been so brave and still upbeat.”

“The outpouring of support has been tremendous,” Steadman added. “I mean, people from throughout the Upper Peninsula, people I went to high school with who haven’t even met Whitney, people from my community here down in North Carolina... It’s been really heart-touching to see how many people have reached out.”

We were also emailed a joint statement from Philip’s fellow aunts Elspeth Warstler-Boes and Kirsten Warstler.

‘Phillip is a kind, curious, and courageous little boy who brings so much joy to all of our lives. As his aunts, it has been incredibly moving to witness the outpouring of love and support from our friends, family, and community since starting this GoFundMe. From generous financial contributions to heartfelt messages and words of encouragement, the kindness shown to Phillip and his family has been truly overwhelming in the most beautiful way. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated, shared his story, offered prayers, or reached out with love. Every gesture, big or small, means so much to us. Thank you for surrounding Phillip and his family with so much love.’

As of Wednesday afternoon, $21,000 of the fundraiser’s $24,000 goal has been raised.

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