Grandmother, friends back Georgia boy, 2
EVANS CITY — A 2-year-old Georgia boy fighting a deadly disease has the support of relatives and friends 700 miles away in Butler County.
Jason Brabent, son of Noel and Jamie (Stephenson) Brabent of Smyrna, Ga., was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, NF, after unusual marks appeared on his body.
His mother, an Evans City native and a Seneca Valley High School graduate, took him to the doctor, and NF was eventually diagnosed.
NF is a genetic disorder of the nervous system that causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in the body at any time, according to the NF Network website.
Jamie Brabent’s mother, Linda Hussar of Butler Township, decided to get involved in the fight against her grandson’s disease when she found out the second annual NF Walk was scheduled for this past Saturday in Atlanta.
Hussar and her sister, Rita Schwenke of Evans City, planned a trip to Georgia and began collecting sponsors in the borough area for the walk.
A team of 10 to 15 walkers comprised of Brabent friends and family members was formed, and $6,000 is now in the coffers of the foundation thanks to the team’s effort.
Hussar said about 200 people participated in the Atlanta walk, which hosted a number of children with forms of cancer. Superheroes also lined the walk’s route.
“It was bittersweet,” Hussar said of the walk, where she saw youngsters with more severe cases of NF. “It hit me what he does have.”
She said Jason has some speech and other delays because of NF, but is tumor free. Jason gets an annual MRI to check for tumors.
“He could go his whole life and never get a tumor,” Hussar said. “It’s a wait and see.”
Jason also participated in the walk clad in an NF T-shirt and green cape.
“He was adorable,” Hussar said.
Hussar’s friend, Barbara O’Barto of Evans City, was so touched by Jason’s condition that she helped raise $120 at her church, Crestview Community Presbyterian, for the walk in Atlanta.
O’Barto is the chairwoman of the deacons there, and Jason’s great uncle also is a deacon.
“I think it’s wonderful that (Hussar and Schwenke) have done this,” Hussar said.
Those who want to learn more about NF or make a donation can log onto www.ctf.org.
