The Durans were selected as the Cranberry Community Uniting of People's 2018 Inspirational Family. Samantha and Andrew Duran have three children, from left, Juliette, Paisley and Maddox, who was born with spina bifida and a host of health problems. The nonprofit CUP selects a local family experiencing financial need due to a medical hardship to support financially.

CRANBERRY TWP — When Samantha and Andrew Duran were pregnant with their third child, they knew his life would be a little bit more difficult than other children. They found out he had spina bifida from prenatal testing.

After Maddox was born though, the Durans found he had the most severe form of Spina Bifida and other complications.

With Maddox's spina bifida, a lesion on his back exposed the nerves in his spine from the L5 vertebrae to his sacral region, which he had closed in a surgery during his first day of life. It would be the first of six surgeries Maddox, who is 5-months-old, has had, his mother said.

The Durans were selected as the Cranberry CUP's 2018 Inspirational Family. The nonprofit selects a local family that is experiencing financial need due to a medical hardship each year to support financially.

Money is raised through several events including the signature Cranberry CUP weekend, planned for Aug. 3 to 5, that includes a kick-off party, softball tournament and golf outing. But just as important is to rally the community around the family and spread awareness for Maddox's diagnoses, said Robin Shaffer, vice president of Cranberry CUP.

A full story about the Duran's will appear in the Butler Eagle.