Saturday’s fun run to help boy with brain tumor

JESSICA GOSKA

PULASKI NEWS

It’s June 29: the sun is shining and the weather is warm. Families are spending time together at the beach or the park, but Molly Anderson, a 2008 Pulaski High School graduate, is facing a less sunny situation.

 

Gathered inside the Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee with her husband and his parents, she awaits the news that her 2-year-old son is battling a brain tumor.

 

For the Anderson family, life is

about to change.

 

On her GoFundMe page, titled “Easton’s Brain Tumor Journey,” Molly writes of her son, “Easton has not been himself for the past three weeks. His appetite and drinking kept decreasing. He was very lethargic and disinterested in all of his toys. He kept grabbing his head and saying owie.”

 

After several trips to her son’s local doctor, Molly and her husband, Jacob, took their son Easton to St. Vincent’s Hospital, looking for answers.

 

Easton was diagnosed with an optic glioma/hypothalamic brain tumor, as well as diencephalic syndrome.

In addition, he was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1, which Easton’s mom says caused the development of his tumor.

 

The protein in Easton’s DNA doesn’t properly regulate cell division, so his cells can multiply too quickly and tumors can suddenly appear. The Neurofibromatosis tumors usually develop along nerve lines; Easton’s tumor

is in the center of his brain and is pushing on his hypothalamus.

 

Since the hypothalamus regulates hunger, doctors inserted a g-tube into Easton’s stomach to ensure he gets proper nutrition while the tumor affects his appetite. Doctors have also placed a shunt in Easton’s brain to stop the swelling caused by the tumor.

 

For at least the next year, Easton will go through chemotherapy, receiving treatment every four weeks. As long as he receives treatment, Easton will also need regular MRIs and will need eye exams every three months.

 

“Please keep our family in your prayers. This is the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do,” Molly explained on her GoFund-Me page. “Watching our son in pain is so hard! But we have hope that we will come out stronger

than ever!”

 

Thus far, the Anderson family has received $8,423 from Molly’s GoFundMe page. Their goal is to raise $10,000 through that fundraiser to help cover the cost of Easton’s medical expenses. In just one month, 112 people have

donated to the cause.

 

In an effort to raise more funds for their son’s brain tumor expenses, the Anderson family is holding a #TeamEaston 5k Fun Run/Walk Sept. 15. The run/walk event will take place from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

and will be held at Forgotten Fire Winery in Peshtigo. Music, fresh fruit, Gatorade and water, granola bars and fruit snacks will be available to participants.

 

There will also be a bucket raffle where people can purchase a chance to win a basket of items.

Registration forms for the race can be found at Anytime Fitness, Forgotten Fire Winery and on the

Team Easton 5k Fun Run/Walk Facebook page.

 

Registration the day of the event is $25.