JACKSON TWP — As a patient at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Nate Butschle got used to wearing a plastic wristband with his name on it during countless blood tests, x-rays and scans.

To show their support, a group of Seneca Valley senior football players has decided to do the same.

In honor of the 1-year-old son of head football coach Ron Butschle, the players designed light blue wristbands debossed with "Keep swingin' Nate," and are selling them for $2 each to raise money for the Butschle family.

Earlier this month, Nate was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, a cancer-like condition mostly affecting children that causes abnormal white blood cells to damage various parts of the body, according to the American Cancer Society.

Chronic ear infections and "funky" rashes plagued Nate for months, Butschle said.

During the Christmas break, Nate needed treatment for a lesion on the roof of his mouth that revealed a tooth growing there.

Three trips to Children's Hospital finally produced the LCH diagnosis, Butschle said.

"It's unfortunate, but we're fortunate because he's only been affected in two areas, his mouth and his skin," he said. "We're lucky we caught it before it got to his liver, lungs, kidneys, brain — that's what could happen."

Nate will undergo chemotherapy treatments for the next six months to a year, Butschle said.

"When we found out about his son, we wanted to do something," said senior Alex Hart, 18, of Cranberry Township.

The senior players started with 1,000 bracelets Wednesday and were sold out by Thursday afternoon. Another 1,000 have been ordered to meet demand.

"Keep swingin'" represents a mantra Butschle conveyed to his players all year, Hart said. The words also were printed on this year's practice shirts.

"When you're put in a corner, the only way to get out is keep swinging, never give up," Hart said.

The Raiders advanced to the first round of the WPIAL Quad A playoffs in November, the first home playoff game since 1997.

"When they came in with these bracelets, I was blown away," Butschle said. "It was a very emotional thing for me."

The players' desire to help out was not a surprise, he said.

"These kids have a pretty special bond," he said. "This is a great group of seniors, and I'm extremely proud of them."

If all 2,000 bracelets are sold, the team will have $4,000, in addition to outside donations, said senior Derek Peluso, 17, of Zelienople.

The team also is planning a 3-on-3 basketball charity benefit for Butschle April 19.

The money will go to the Butschle family to help defray the cost of Nate's chemotherapy treatments, as well as a housecleaning service and a few square meals.

For now, the Butschles have pulled together to support Nate through the beginning of chemotherapy, which Butschle said is harder for them to watch than for Nate to endure.

Butschle and his wife, Kelly, live in Moon Township, Allegheny County, with their son Ryan, 20, a sophomore at Slippery Rock University and daughter Jennifer, 16, a sophomore at Moon High School.

"It's going to be a big adjustment for us, but there's no sacrifice that's too big for him," Butschle said of his youngest son.

<B>WHAT:</B> 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament<B>WHEN:</B> April 19<B>WHERE:</B>Seneca Valley Senior High gymnasium<B>COST:</B>None, open to the public<B>INFO:</B> Donations will benefit Nate Butschle, son of head football coach Ron Butschle<B>TOREGISTER:</B> Call Mark Poydence at 724-776-0276