OUR 2023 BENEFICIARY FAMILIES
Why CHAMP? Reason #1
Keylan Smith
Keylan is the sweet little son of Alexa and Tyler Smith. He was born October 30, 2023 and has a big sister, Bexley. Later that evening, Keylan was having some breathing difficulties and was ultimately transferred to Danville NICU for a higher level of care. Upon arrival, Keylan was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, congenital pneumonia, hypoplastic aortic arch and aortic stenosis. They learned that Keylan had a gene mutation called SMAD6, and that gene causes aortic stenosis and craniosynostosis. Alexa and Tyler were originally told that his heart condition was not severe enough to require immediate intervention, but as the weeks passed they learned his condition was progressively worsening and intervention was necessary. On December 4th, Keylan had a valvuloplasty to help with the valve in his heart. Keylan had trouble eating and could not endure the appropriate amount he needed in order to grow and develop. On December 18th, he had a g-tube placed and was able to be discharged from the NICU on December 21st. The craniosynostosis needs to be surgically repaired and procedure for his skull will be scheduled.Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones in his skull closed too early. The only sutures that closed from his craniosynostosis is his metopic suture which is actually called trigonocephaly. Keylan will get that surgery soon when he is 4 months old.
Please keep Keylan, Sis, Tyler and Bexley in your prayers.
Why CHAMP? Reason #2
Jennifer Warsing
In April of 2023, Jen found a lump in her left breast and was referred to have a mammogram and a breast biopsy done. Her breast biopsy diagnosed her with stage 2b, Breast Cancer. Her treatment plan was 6 months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and then 3 months of radiation. Before treatment began, she was sent for a pet scan and those and the results showed Stage 4, Metastatic Breast Cancer that had already spread to my lymph nodes and bones. She had lesions in her breast, chest, ribs and spine. Stage 4 is a terminal diagnosis. She was referred to a specialist at the McGhee Women's Center in Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh, she started my new treatment plan in July of 2023, which includes oral chemotherapy, hormone therapy (both daily oral medication and monthly shots), and immunotherapy infusions every three months.
Due to the cancer being her bones she has strict physical restrictions. The bone cancer makes her bones brittle and she is at great risk of bones breaking easily.
Jen is partnered with a wonderful Service Dog named Wellie. Wellie is Jen' best friend and helps her daily with this battle. Jen has a tough battle ahead of her. Please keep Jen in your thoughts and prayers.
Why CHAMP? Reason #3
Benton Hancock
Benton was diagnosed with Melanoma in June 2021 and was referred to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where the doctors removed the Melanoma without further treatment. He continued to go to the Children’s Hospital for regular checkups and additional testing. When the doctors learned of Benton’s family medical history, they ordered genetic testing. In April 2023, the doctors discovered a genetic mutation (Li-Fraumeni Syndrome). By August, they found that a tumor in his right leg was growing rapidly, and the bone underneath was breaking. When first discovered, the tumor was 5.2 cm. Within two months, the tumor was 10 cm, and two weeks later, it was 14.3 cm. Following a PET scan and biopsy in early October, Benton was diagnosed with localized Osteosarcoma.
The team of doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh scheduled a very aggressive treatment plan. Benton was admitted for port placement and his first chemotherapy treatment in early November. Each treatment requires testing and hydration upon arrival, followed by chemotherapy. Benton is hospitalized for each treatment and has been able to come home in between for a few days at a time.
Treatment does not always go as planned, and Benton has dealt with setbacks along the way. While at home following a treatment, he was admitted to Penn Highlands Hospital in Huntingdon and was later transferred to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where he underwent surgery for a collapsed lung. Following another treatment, his numbers were not where the doctors wanted them, and he was hospitalized for longer than anticipated. The setbacks have altered his treatment plan and the anticipated surgery date.
Benton is 21 years old and a graduate of the Mount Union Area High School Class of 2020. Following graduation Benton worked at various jobs. He was most recently employed by Superior Huntingdon Composites (Fiberglass). Due to the extensive treatment plan, he has been unable to work and is not sure when or if he will be able to return.
Benton is very talented and loves music and art. His support system includes his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as his girlfriend and a great group of friends. Through all of the testing, treatments, and setbacks, Benton continues to be the fun-loving young man with an infectious smile.
Please keep Benton and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he continues with the current round of treatment that will be followed by surgery and additional treatment.
Why CHAMP? Reason #4
Kinley McGeary
Kinley McGeary. Kinley is a second grader at Standing Stone Elementary. She is a typical 8 year old. She loves going on adventures, experiencing new things, and playing with her friends. She loves playing softball and doing gymnastics. However, Kinley’s recent diagnosis has made these activities impossible for her. Kinley’s symptoms began about 2 years ago when she started to experience debilitating pains in her legs. At first, her doctors dismissed them as growing pains but quickly realized that something more severe was going on after Kinley was unable to walk from the pain. After several referrals to major medical centers, Kinley was diagnosed with Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis also known as CRMO. CRMO is a very rare disease that causes critical pain and damage in bones due to inflammation. This disease creates lesions in many of her bones through her body. It is a severe form of Chronic Nonbacterial Myelitis (CNO). In Kinley’s case, it has affected her entire body, but mainly her spine and legs. Recently, Kinley began to experience the debilitating pain in her back to the point that she would just fall to the ground and lay immobile. She was recently diagnosed with two spinal fractures that were caused by her CRMO. Kinley does experience good days where her pain is tolerable; however, during her flare ups, she faces chronic, debilitating pain and disability for unknown amounts of time. She has seen numerous specialists but they have been unsuccessful in finding her a treatment plan that works. Kinley’s family is facing medical bills and travel expenses due to having to take her to major metropolitan areas to visit children’s hospitals for treatment regularly. Please continue to pray for Kinley and her family.
Why CHAMP? Reason #5
Patti Everheart
Last May, Patti received the worst news when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Since her original diagnosis, things have gotten drastically worse and she has started to have complications with her chemo treatments and her health has deteriorated. It was discovered that Patti is severely allergic to the chemo that she was receiving and her chemo treatments were put on hold. This past October, Patti underwent a mastectomy surgery and was released from the hospital to go home and rest. in November, she met with the surgeon who removed her drain and gave her an antibiotic cream to help promote healing of her incision. Patti was later admitted to the hospital for an infection in her incisions. At this point, the doctors are still unclear what the next steps are for Patti and her treatments. Anyone who knows Patti knows that she has a heart of gold and would help anyone, even if it meant giving them the shirt off her back. Please keep Patti in our thoughts and prayers.
Why CHAMP? Reason #6
Gaige Packer
Gaige is a 2022 graduate from Juniata Valley High School. Upon graduation, Gaige began taking an EPA 608 Certification course for HVAC systems. He was doing well in his classes and finished the majority of the test and only had to study for a couple remaining sections of the test when he began having issues with constipation and diarrhea. He was sent for a colonoscopy when he found blood in his stool in October of 2023. The results from the colonoscopy showed that Gaige has FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis), a condition that leads to thousands of polyps inside the colon or rectum and eventually leads to colon cancer. Gaige and his mom met with a colo/rectal surgeon and discussed the best step for removal of both Gaige’s colon and rectum. Gaige went to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center on November 17, 2023 to undergo a 10.5 hour surgery to remove the colon and rectum and hook up his small intestine to take over for his colon. The surgeon was unable to get the blood flow needed from the small intestine for a successful outcome. After the surgery, Gaige spent 7 days in the hospital recovering and learning how to take care of the ostomy bag. Gaige will have an ostomy bag for at least a year. After that, another surgery will be scheduled to try and successfully hook up his small intestine. He will continue to have routine outpatient surgeries every 3 months to make sure his remaining anus stays polyp free. For the remainder of Gaige’s life, he will need to have routine CAT Scans, Endoscopy Scans, and Thyroid Ultrasounds in order to watch out for cancers that sometimes can follow FAP diagnosis. Gaige has a long road ahead of him and is looking to live as normal of a life as possible. Please keep Gaige and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Why CHAMP? Reason #7
Keith Stevens
Keith is currently fighting for his life while in a coma in the ICU after he unexpectedly suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm on March 14th. Keith has a 13 year old son at home praying his for dad daily. Initially, Doctors were not even sure if he would make it to Pittsburgh for surgery, nor if he would be strong enough to pull through surgery. However, when he arrived to Pittsburgh he underwent a craniotomy and miraculously made it through. Since then, he has had multiple procedures- including a tracheostomy, a feeding tube, a shunt placed to control pressure in his head, and a cranioplasty to replace the part of his skull that needed to be removed due to the aneurysm. The past few months have been flooded with brain storming, sudden surges of blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, known to follow traumatic brain injuries. Though it is known to accompany brain injuries, it is also not common and has been hard to find a treatment plan for relief. Doctors are still uncertain of future progress, but through it all, he is still fighting through it all. Keith is a single father of a very sweet, 13 year old boy, who unfortunately is the one who found Keith on the floor surrounded by blood after coming home from school. Sadly, it is not known how long Keith was unconscious before he was found. Keith was the primary caretaker of his son, and now his mother is responsible full time for taking care of my nephew and all of his needs. His mother drives back and forth to the Pittsburgh hospital visiting her son almost daily. She had to go back to work to help offset the cost. Keith has worked at the Huntingdon Prison for years as a correctional officer. Unfortunately, all of his PTO has been depleted and he lost his job since he is still in a coma. Anyone who knows Keith is aware how full of life he was and how much his son meant to him- my nephew constantly asks when his dad will be able to come home. Please keep Keith and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Why CHAMP? Reason #8
Charlotte Shriner
On November 24th, Charlotte and her family were visiting the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Charlotte developed a slight sore throat and congestion upon their arrival. Her symptoms progressively worsened that day, making it difficult for her to breathe. That night, Charlotte was immediately taken to the ER at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where an x-ray showed tracheitis; a bacterial infection in her trachea. The doctors informed the family that this is a very rare condition. Charlotte was immediately taken to the Operating Room for intubation and removal of the bacteria due to being in respiratory failure. She was then placed on a ventilator in the ICU. Charlotte had severe swelling in her trachea after surgery which led to her airway compressing the breathing tube. After 4 days, Charlotte was successfully extubated but then developed ICU delirium. She was unable to eat or walk due to the confusion. She remained in the ICU for complications and was then moved to the complex airway unit after eight days. Charlotte was discharged on December 4th with her family returned back to Pennsylvania for physical therapy and recovery. Charlottes care was transferred to Geisinger and she continues to follow with the pediatric pulmonologists and pediatric ENT in Danville. Charlotte has finally returned to school at Calvary Christian Academy where she is in 3rd grade is expected to make a full recovery over time! Specialists are giving her lungs 6 months to heal and then she will return to Geisinger to repeat breathing tests and for specialists to evaluate her airway and any scarring. Please keep Charlotte and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue working towards healing.
Why CHAMP? Reason #9
Alfred “Sam” Taylor
Sam is a retired ``Over the road`` truck driver of over 30 years but was driving school bus part time. He has been married to Tammie for 35 years and they have 7 children, 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. On February 7, 2022. Sam was feeling terrible and could not breathe or even walk up his stairs. He decided to go to hospital and was later diagnosed with small non-cell lung cancer. Sam, started radiation and chemotherapy treatments immediately. After those treatments, doctors started to use immunotherapy in August 2023. In November, Sam and a PET scan to see if his tumor disappeared and unfortunately, they found a second and even larger tumor in the same lung. Sam had a biopsy November 6th, 2023, that confirmed that it was small non-cell lung cancer again. Another round of treatments started the week of Christmas. This round of treatment has really taken its toll on Sam physically and emotionally. He has been hospitalized twice now because of a lung clot, pneumonia, and sepsis. Sam would give anything just to be able to enjoy spending time with his children and grandchildren. He'd love to return to driving school bus where he interacted so well with his school kids. Please keep Sam and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Why CHAMP? Reason #10
Bobbi Jo Hawn
Bobbi was born with a breast cancer gene and was planning on having preventative surgery, and before she had the surgery she was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive cancer. While she was pregnant, she noticed a rash on her chest, got a scan, and was told not to worry about it. On April 11, 2022, she was blessed to have a baby boy. While breastfeeding she got mastitis and then and infection. Later that year in November, Bobbi went to doctors and had a mammogram and it showed she had stage 2, triple negative, aggressive breast cancer. She had 16 weeks of have chemotherapy and immunotherapy that left her unable to work. This past June, she had a mastectomy and had 10 Lymph Nodes removed from her armpits. She had a hysterectomy in July, and final reconstruction surgery. Bobbi had been fighting to get healthy and dealing with the emotional toll. Doctors are working on a plan for more preventative treatments since she didn't finish her full treatment course. During this time, her partner Sam. had his colon removed because of having pre-cancer polyps. Her and Sam will have lifelong checks to keep on top of anything. Please keep Bobbi and Sam in your thoughts and prayers.
Why CHAMP? Reason #11
Michelle Wible
Michelle is well known in our community for her big heart. She works at a nursing home as a nurse as well as a part time server at the Huntingdon American Legion. She is a mother of two amazing children. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in April of 2022. Since then, she has had to have two port surgeries due to one malfunctioning. In May of 2022, she had a colon resection surgery. She has had ongoing chemo treatments and her journey has been full of setbacks. Her cancer has currently spread to her liver and her ovaries. She underwent a total hysterectomy on December 26, 2023. She started her latest regimen of chemo treatments on January 29, 2024. Throughout this time, Michelle has continued to work two jobs consistently in order to make ends meet and to be able to provide for her children. Please keep Michelle and her family in her prayers.