Family holding onto hope for Niles teen with brain tumors

NILES, Mich. - A 13-year-old from Niles is at IU Health in Bloomington right now getting radiation treatment for numerous brain tumors.

Aaron Stovall, 13, went to the eye doctor 2 1/2 years ago because he was suffering from bad headaches. It turned out those headaches were caused by numerous brain tumors developing in his brain.

Aaron spent 9-months undergoing chemo treatment in an attempt to get rid of the tumors, the chemo this past summer failed.

Aaron's grandma, Linda Archer, said that surgeons can't operate because there are too many tumors, the only hope now is radiation.

Aaron and his mom, Becky are at IU Health right now. It will take six weeks for the radiation to be complete.

"It was just like your world had ended, you know? You're going to make me cry. It's just like the world has ended and you want to do anything you can to help him," Archer said while fighting back tears, "Aaron is a very special kid." 

A Facebook page, Hope for Aaron has more than 100 likes. The page updates family and friends on his condition and is an outlet to advertise an upcoming fundraiser to help out his mom.

Becky is raising three kids on her own, Aaron, his 16-year-old sister and 5-year-old brother. She works as a CNA but has had to take off quite a bit of time to help Aaron, meanwhile the bills are adding up.

A fundraiser will be held, February 12th at Jay's Lounge on 11th Street in Niles. The benefit starts at 1 p.m. and goes till an unspecified hour.

The family is working hard on getting donations to be raffled off at the event.

"We've been working very hard to get donations to raffle off so we can raise money to help Becky while she is staying in Bloomington and we're having a real tough time," Archer said.

Many of  the larger chain stores turned Archer down when she asked for help. She said that a number of smaller, locally owned businesses have really pitched in.

When asked what her biggest fear was she replied, "Losing him."

 

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