Supporters go cruising for 6-year-old Connor
BUFFALO TWP — Recreational cruisers altered their course this month for a local family in need.
“Today we're doing a little fundraiser for this kid,” said Rob Moser, leader of the Cabot Cruisers, on Sunday.
The cruisers met around 6 p.m. at the Winfield Fire Hall, before heading on a trek about 20 miles long. Some drove classics from the 1960s and 1970s. Others drove newer muscle and sporty cars. Even the Buffalo Township fire engine made an appearance.
“Everybody was welcome,” said Moser, who drove an International Scout. “This is the first time we've ever raised any money.”
At least 50 vehicles drove past the home of Connor Fend as a surprise for the 6-year-old, who sat in a wheelchair surrounded by his family. Many cruisers tossed either pieces or entire grocery bags worth of candy toward Connor.
“There's enough sugar for a whole year,” said a smiling Connor after all the vehicles had left.
Connor recently had surgery for a rare condition called Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, which affects the functioning of his hip joint.
“It's crazy to have this many people and this much support for him,” said the boy's father, Brad Fend of Slippery Rock.
Connor's stepfather, Craig Cirrincione of Sarver, said everyone was able to keep the cruise a surprise for the boy, and they played it off as a normal family gathering.
“It does mean a lot that they're going out of their way on a Sunday evening to support a kid they've never actually even met,” he said.
Craig Cirrincione's parents rode in the cruise on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. His mother, Brenda Cirrincione of Cabot, said they wanted to help support Connor, who has had a pretty painful past few months.
“He started out with a limp, around the end of last summer,” Brenda Cirrincione said. “He would limp off and on and he complained of hip pain.”
According to Mayo Clinic, the disease is a childhood condition that occurs when blood supply to the ball part (femoral head) of the hip joint is temporarily interrupted and the bone begins to die. As the bone weakens the ball becomes flat, and when blood supply is restored, the bone may continue to grow in a flat shape.
Brenda Cirrincione said in Connor's case, doctors tried putting a lift in his shoe to correct the problem at first, but by July, they found the disease had progressed, and quickly. Connor was in the final stage of the disease.
“They said surgery was the only option,” Brenda Cirrincione said.
To correct the problem, doctors inserted part of the femur into the hip joint and used a plate and four screws for stability. Connor now wears a knee brace and will be wheelchair bound, though temporarily.
“They say he'll be non-weight bearing for at least a couple months,” Brenda Cirrincione said. “They say it's a long recovery process.”
According to Brenda Cirrincione, Connor is an active child too, so sitting around isn't his forte. He likes to play cops and robbers, and he was able to complete his first season of T-ball in the spring, before his surgery.
Cirrincione said Connor does enjoy seeing cars, especially motorcycles and classic cars, and that's why they asked Moser to tweak the route this month.
“I knew right away Rob would be willing to do this,” she said. “He's such a kind man, and he loves giving to the community.”
In addition to driving past Connor's house in Sarver, the cruise ended at Sprankle's Market in Saxonburg, where a 50-50 raffle will be conducted. Proceeds will be donated to Connor and his parents to help offset expenses from his care.
