{"id":18083,"date":"2025-10-27T10:09:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T10:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/18083\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T10:09:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T10:09:06","slug":"hunters-haunted-horror-house-staten-island-family-brings-halloween-spirit-to-8-year-old-boy-with-health-struggles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/18083\/","title":{"rendered":"Hunter\u2019s Haunted Horror House: Staten Island family brings Halloween spirit to 8-year-old boy with health struggles"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Halloween is a time cherished by many of the Staten Island\u2019s residents, young and old alike, and for Bloomingdale resident Hunter Dobson, 8, the holiday has always been a particular favorite.<\/p>\n

But after receiving some truly scary news, celebrating with tricks and treats is not all that easy.<\/p>\n

Despite the health challenges faced by this young warrior, with the help of his family, Dobson is able to enjoy the festive season of frights in his own special way. In keeping the season alive for Hunter, the family has once again put together a Halloween display that not only brings him joy, but also raises funds for a non-profit that assists children living through emergencies.<\/p>\n

Meet Hunter Dobson<\/p>\n

At the age of 5, Dobson was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of childhood cancer. Hunter has since fought valiantly and rang the bell to signify completion of treatment earlier this year. However, in September 2024, the family received more disheartening news when Hunter was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease in which certain white blood cells \u2014 histiocytes and lymphocytes \u2014 attack other blood cells, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine<\/a>. These abnormal blood cells subsequently pool in the spleen and liver, causing them to enlarge.<\/p>\n

As explained in a GoFundMe for Dobson<\/a>, he has faced two flare ups as a result of HLH, inflammation in his brain and nervous system, as well as numerous nodules in both lungs.<\/p>\n

\"Hunter'sThis photo shows Hunter Dobson outside his haunted house, located at 54 Renee Place in Graniteville on Oct. 19, 2025.(Owen Reiter for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Doctors believe that, as of Thursday, the disease is largely under control for the moment, as noted by Joann Trocchia, 64, Dobson\u2019s grandmother. While a positive development, Trocchia also shared the news that Dobson\u2019s immune system is in a vulnerable state due to chemotherapy. Moreover, the young boy may require a bone marrow transplant.<\/p>\n

In an effort to protect him, Dobson is being homeschooled and his family is limiting exposure to large groups.<\/p>\n

\u201cHunter is the sweetest kid,\u201d Trocchia said of her grandson. \u201cHe\u2019s just \u2014 he\u2019s amazing, he\u2019s very kind, he\u2019s very good-hearted. He\u2019s like a good boy, you know? He\u2019s a good boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

These struggles and relative isolation is something no child should have to endure, but fortunately, he has a loving family backing him every step of the way. The latest manifestation of this love has taken the form of Hunter\u2019s Haunted Horror House, at 54 Renee Place in Graniteville.<\/p>\n

Hunter\u2019s Haunted Horror House<\/p>\n

During the month of October, Dobson stays at his grandma\u2019s house on Renee Place for the weekend. Knowing the health restrictions her grandson faces, Trocchia decided to turn her front yard into a gathering spot for ghouls and werewolves alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is his Christmas,\u201d Trocchia told the Advance\/SILive.com. \u201cYou know, he loved it since he was a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe always wanted to go see the decorations and when we found out he got sick, we were like, you know, \u2018would you like us to make you a display?\u2019 and he said \u2018yes,\u2019\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

\"Hunter'sHunter’s Haunted Horror House located at 54 Renee Place in Graniteville as pictured on Oct. 19, 2025.(Owen Reiter for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Hunter\u2019s Haunted Horror House began in 2024 and is returning for its second year. Housed beneath and around a tent situated at Trocchia\u2019s residence are 40 animatronics that breathe life into the horrifically-festive display.<\/p>\n

When Hunter first learned that he was to have a horror house of his own, guess what made the Christmas list? More Halloween decorations. Trocchia recalls how family members rallied around Hunter to purchase different additions to the homemade haunted house.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody comes and just helps out to put it together and take it down, it\u2019s a family thing \u2014 and Hunter is the conductor,\u201d said Trocchia.<\/p>\n

Spreading cheer and raising money for a cause<\/p>\n

In addition to bringing joy into Hunter\u2019s life, the exhibit brings seasonal cheer to Staten Island families, who are invited to visit on weekends.<\/p>\n

\"Hunter'sHunter’s Haunted Horror House located at 54 Renee Place in Graniteville as pictured on Oct. 19, 2025.(Owen Reiter for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Aside from spreading smiles through spooks, the house also serves as a fundraiser for different initiatives. This year, Trocchia explained that the house is raising money for Emergency Children\u2019s Help Organization<\/a> (ECHO), a non-profit program that provides financial assistance to children experiencing a medical or living emergencies.<\/p>\n

Kenny Dobson, 38, Hunter\u2019s father, works at Costco, and given that Hunter recently became an older brother to six-week-old Ronan, Kenny took time away from work. But now, Kenny may not be able to return to Costco just yet, as he may be the bone-marrow donor for his son. Given Hunter\u2019s immunocompromised state, the family is doing its best to avoid catching an illness.<\/p>\n

Despite his susceptibility, Hunter does not let his infirmity haunt him. When guests do come to visit, the master of monsters throws on a mask and will sometimes proudly lead visitors through his realized vision of the Halloween spirit.<\/p>\n

\"Hunter'sHunter’s Haunted Horror House is located at 54 Renee Place in Graniteville. It is pictured on Oct. 19, 2025.(Owen Reiter for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, everything that my grandson is going through, this is the only thing that really puts a smile on his face; he loves it, he just loves it,\u201d Trocchia told the Advance\/SILive.com.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I tell him \u2018hey, go give this person a tour, let him know,\u2019 and he\u2019ll go in and he\u2019ll tell you everything about all the animatronics,\u201d she added. \u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the most cherished animatronics in Hunter\u2019s collection is one by the name of \u201cTrixie,\u201d a recent gift from his grandparents.<\/p>\n

In emphasizing just how much the holiday means to her grandson, Trocchia said: \u201cYou know, he\u2019s been in the hospital so many times, this poor baby, that we weren\u2019t sure he was going to be here and he wasn\u2019t going to be in the hospital. And I told my daughter, \u2018listen, if he\u2019s in the hospital on Halloween \u2014 November \u2014 I am keeping this stuff up until November. Like, I am not letting him not see this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Hunter'sHunter’s Haunted Horror House located at 54 Renee Place in Graniteville as pictured on Oct. 19, 2025.(Owen Reiter for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Families are invited to come visit Hunter\u2019s Haunted Horror House on weekends.<\/p>\n

To support Hunter and the Dobson family, visit his GoFundMe at https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/aid-hunters-fight<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To support Emergency Children\u2019s Help Organization, you can either scan a QR code at Hunter\u2019s Haunted Horror House or visit https:\/\/echoorganization.org\/donations\/hunters-spooky-halloween-fundraiser\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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