SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — In fifth grade, Hayden Ruesink was diagnosed with a condition called PVNS, also known as Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis.

“Essentially, it’s a non-life-threatening tumor that is in my leg, and it made my leg swell pretty big to the point where it was affecting other ligaments, other joints and everything and I wasn’t going to be able to walk if they couldn’t get it out,” cancer survivor, Hayden Ruesink said.

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What followed was a couple of years in and out of the hospital.

“I went for surgery and then it was fine for a little bit, then back to another surgery, and then surgery started not working. And so I ended up going to Mayo Clinic and they go, all right, if these next two surgeries don’t work, your leg will most likely have to be amputated because we can’t get this out. So they ended up doing two surgeries. And then as a preventative also, I went on an oral chemotherapy,” Ruesink said.

Thankfully, Ruesink is better now; however, that doesn’t change what he went through. Ty Eschenbaum also went through a battle with cancer when he was in high school.

“I didn’t have any idea what to expect, right? Like most kids, they get diagnosed with cancer. This isn’t happen to me– this happens to somebody else. You know, I’ve heard of cancer, but, this isn’t something that I’m supposed to have to deal with,” Ty Eschenbaum Foundation, Ty Eschenbaum said.

Because of what Eschenbaum went through, he decided to start the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation, with the original concept stemming from what he went through when he had cancer.

“Youth cancer survivors, funding kids and families that had been through what I went through, to help them as they go to the next stage of their life in the next chapter. And, you know, go on to bigger and better things. It seemed like a no-brainer,” Eschenbaum said.

So he started a Survivor Scholarship for kids who have overcome cancer and has given away 77 scholarships so far– with one of those scholarships going to Ruesink. The scholarship means a great deal to the current college senior.

“There’s a lot of people who also go through this and they have other opportunities that just because they’ve went through things that suck and that aren’t good for them and things that honestly, they never thought they could get through, that there’s an opportunity to fulfill your dreams, be you, and enjoy the life that God gave you,” Ruesink said.

There’s an event coming up in December that helps spur on the Survivor Scholarship and the other pillars of the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation, called the Earn the Gift Gala.

“It’s our biggest fundraiser, but it’s also our biggest celebration. Celebration of kids and families and what they’ve been through and an opportunity for them and all of us to dress fancy, black tie, evening gowns, all the things, red carpet, prime rib, dueling pianos, you know, very fancy setting. So we try to be the premier holiday ball in South Dakota,” Eschenbaum said.

Not only do you get to be all dolled up, but you will also hear from cancer survivors at the event. Ruesink spoke at the event last year and is excited to attend again this year.

“I’m excited to hear other people’s stories. I’m excited to learn from what other people have went through. And then for more people to speak out and share the things that they go through and that show other people again, you’re not alone no matter what happens,” Ruesink said.

Last year, around 900 people attended the event.

“It maintains our $100,000 gift to Make-A-Wish every year, which pays for about ten kids to get their wish granted. That allows us to continue our 25,000 plus or minus for youth cancer survivors. And then it also continues to grow. Not only our endowment, but our missionaries that we’re supporting abroad. We’ve announced here recently, and just in the past few weeks, two $35,000 gifts to South Dakota-based missionary programs that do work in Africa and South America,” Eschenbaum said.

While the group of people the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation helps continues to grow, each individual has a deep meaning for Eschenbaum.

“It’s really just a dream come true for me. So kids like Hayden, they’re from a small town, they’re athletes, they’re ambitious. I see myself in them. I see so many similarities and just a recognition of what he went through. And then watching him pay it forward, give back, chart his own path of what he’s going to do with his life and help others. I think it’s awesome,” Eschenbaum said.

“I’m able to get my story out and tell other people what I went through, and hopefully others are able to share their experiences of similar things that they’ve went through and show other people that they’re not alone,” Ruesink said.

The Earn the Gift Gala is taking place on December 6th, but ticket sales close on November 14th.