Community rallies around 3-year-old battling cancer
‘Incrediball Tournament’ planned Sept. 22 to help family with medical expenses
<div class="Content"><p class="indent">At 3 years old, Jaxson Cole Spikes has a contagious smile that can light up a room, but at the same time, he is dealing with a sobering issue: he has been diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma.</p><p class="indent">Neuroblastoma is a cancer often found in the adrenal glands, which are the small glands on top of the kidneys. The cancer can develop in the stomach, chest, neck, pelvis, and bones. Children ages 5 and under are most commonly affected.</p><p class="indent">Since he was diagnosed a few months ago, Jaxson has spent time being treated at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He had a surgery in which doctors told family that they were able to remove about 95 percent of the cancer in his main tumor. He has also undergone chemotherapy and other treatments.</p><p class="indent">On Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. and going throughout the day, family, friends, and supporters of Jaxson will gather at the Bell City High School baseball fields for an “Incrediball Tournament” fundraiser, sponsored by the Bell City Summer League, to help with the family’s medical expenses.</p><p class="indent">There is a $20 per person entry fee and teams will be composed of either seven boys and three girls or six boys and four girls. Teams must provide their own balls: 11-inch Incrediballs.</p><p class="indent">Robyn LeLeux, Jaxson’s mother, says she is grateful for the support of family, friends, and the community who have rallied around her little boy, a fun-loving child who loves playing with cars and spending time with his three brothers.</p><p class="indent">“It’s just awesome that people care enough to help,” she said.</p><p class="indent">Jaxson is the grandson of Myron and Danita LeLeux, owners of Southern Spice on Ryan Street. Robyn LeLeux said she and her parents have been at Jaxson’s side throughout his medical ordeal.</p><p class="indent">“Basically, we’ve picked up and moved to Memphis for his year-long treatment,” she said. “My other sons are 12, 10, and 6 years old and they are all here with us, too, and they are being homeschooled for now until they can go back to their schools. I think it helps Jaxson and it helps them that they can all be together through this.”</p><p class="indent">The family has a Facebook page devoted to the tyke, Jaxson’s Journey, where supporters can get updates and leave words of encouragement for his family.</p><p class="indent">A recent post by the family told of Jaxson being admitted back into the hospital within the past week: “The fluid draining from his belly has lessened but there’s still drainage. So they want to get it to stop ASAP so we can get started on his next round of treatment. The poor little guy can’t seem to catch a break lately. He was just back to feeling good and eating a lot.”</p><p class="indent">His mother said none of it really phases Jaxson, though. “Whatever it is, he just rolls with it,” Robyn LeLeux said. “He’s amazing.”</p><hr /><p class="indent"><em>For more information about the tournament or to volunteer to be an umpire, coach, or helper, call 337-391-1401 or 337-660-7641.</em></p></div><div class="Lead"> </div>
A Facebook page is devoted to Jaxson’s Journey where supporters can get updates.
<strong>To donate</strong> to the GoFundMe page for Jaxson, click <strong><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/help-3-yearold-jaxson-fight-cancer" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.