Brotherly Love: Team Jaxson Helps Boy With Cancer
By Ukee Washington
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A community in Gloucester County is throwing their all into helping a child with cancer.
As Eyewitness News anchor Ukee Washington shows us, they call themselves Team Jaxson.
Friends and strangers alike are throwing a barbecue fundraiser this weekend, inspired by a little boy with a big spirit, Jaxson Butkus.
In early June, Jaxson celebrated his first birthday. He seemed to be doing great. But a few weeks later, something was wrong.
Nick Butkus, Jaxson's father, said, "One morning, he woke up, and he almost had a twitch of his mouth."
It didn't happen all the time. Doctors couldn't figure it out. So Jaxson's mother Diana took iPhone video of his symptoms and brought him to CHOP.
"They were picking up that he was having continuous seizures," Diana said. "On the way to ICU, they gave him a CAT scan. That's when they saw the mass."
Surgeons removed a rare brain tumor known as AT/RT. It strikes only 30 children a year. Jaxson will have to undergo months, possibly years, of chemo and radiation.
"You don't want to see anybody with cancer, but when you see a 13-month-old boy, it touches a lot of people," said Scott Whyte. He is one of the people pulling together to help.
They call themselves Team Jaxson. Sunday afternoon, they're hosting a barbecue fundraiser and auction at Tall Pines Day Camp in Williamstown, Gloucester County.
"We sent out invitations on Facebook, and it went from just our group to 1700 invites," Scott said.
People as far away as Florida are buying tickets. $20 for an adult, $10 for children. Kids under 3 are free. Team Jaxson hopes the money can help cover bills as well as gas and tolls for those frequent drives to CHOP.
"We want to do what we can do. That's why we're Team Jaxson," said Jennifer Pepe.
Through all of it, Jaxson keeps smiling. Dominick Butkus, Jaxson's brother, said, "He's a special baby, actually."
Jaxson has no idea there's a Team Jaxson. But the rest of his family will never forget.
"We are forever grateful for what they're doing, and we could never repay them," Diana said.
The barbeque kicks off Sunday at noon. There will be all-you-can-eat food, and lots of activities like swimming, a horseshoe tournament, kids games, and visits from the Phillie Phanatic and Franklin from the Sixers.
For questions and tickets, contact Scott Whyte at (856) 466-1777.
