Aiden Bartley, 11, holds some of the dozens of raffle baskets donated to a fundraiser on his behalf Saturday. Aiden, from Butler, is undergoing chemotherapy at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Aiden Bartley, 11, was among those who visited the 64-year-old post at Butler Moose Lodge on Saturday to enjoy a pasta fundraiser to help him and his family continue his treatment for pancreatic cancer. looked like another preteen playing a game on his cell phone.
But Aiden knows that many people go out of their way to sacrifice half their weekends to prepare dinner.
“I think it’s really cool,” Aiden said, barely looking up as he killed the digital creatures on the screen. “They say they care about me a lot.”
Another comment also pointed out that Aiden is a growing boy.
“The food is really good,” he said of the pasta dinner.
Aiden was released from care at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh in August due to stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but doctors there said there was nothing more they could do for him.
Aiden is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, which is a very expensive treatment for his parents.
Mike Bartley said he and his wife, Megan, take their son to Cleveland every other week for chemotherapy, and more often if doctors order blood or other tests.
The Bartleys say recent scans are positive as the pancreatic tumor has not grown, the spot on Aiden’s liver has not spread and the cancer overall has not spread to other parts of his body. He said he had shown the results.
Mike Bartley said even the “enhancer”, or shadow, around Aiden’s liver had disappeared.
“A lot has changed in two months,” Mike said.
Megan said a doctor in California has patented the chemotherapy drug and submitted an application to the Federal Drug Administration to use it in a clinical trial specifically for Aiden.
“So we’re waiting for the FDA to approve it and we’re going to California,” she said.
The Bartleys said Butler County residents who participated in fundraisers and donated to NexTier Bank’s Aiden’s Journey Fund are grateful for their support as the young family tries their best to put Aiden into remission. Said you’ll never understand how important it is.
“It’s a great community,” Mike says.
A delicious spaghetti and Alfredo dinner at Moose is complemented by dozens of raffle baskets, a QR code at each table for the purchase of a purple “Aiden’s Journey” T-shirt, a 50/50 raffle, and a sticky note gambling game it was done.
All proceeds from the dinner will be used to pay for Bartley’s Aiden’s treatment and medical expenses.
Jason and Christine Doerr, from Butler, have known the Bartleys for several years and attended a pasta dinner in Highfield Hall and a bar bingo fundraiser in the beer garden to support Aiden.
“He needs money to go to Cleveland,” Jason said.
Christine said the Bartleys are also giving people themselves.
“We have known the Bartleys for a long time and they are willing to help in any way so we want to support Aiden,” she said.
Rebecca Colosimo, a ninth-grader at Monito Middle/High School, enjoyed a plate of salad and Alfredo on Saturday.
“I’ve known Aiden my whole life. He’s my brother-in-law and my sister’s nephew, and I’m here to support him,” she said.
Rebecca is thrilled that Aiden is doing well and that recent scans have given him good news.
“I love seeing positive updates about him and I hope we continue to have positive news,” she said.
Rebecca tried to put herself in Aiden’s shoes and thought he must be scared, but she was glad to see people gathered for Saturday dinner.
“Their donation will definitely help the family,” she said.
Pat Potter, who lives in Franklin Township, is a nurse, a friend of Aiden’s family, and a cancer survivor herself.
“I can’t imagine any child having a diagnosis like that,” Potter said.
She works in animal rescue and sees the generosity of the Butler area community every day, so it’s no surprise that the Bartley family has received support from friends and strangers alike.
“I think the people of Butler County are very supportive of people in need,” Potter said. “They are very generous.”
She feels positive about Aiden and his fight to cure cancer.
“I think he’s going to do very well and I wish him the best,” Potter said.
Those who would like to support Aiden’s family by purchasing a T-shirt can visit Mark-IM, a screen printing company located at 115 N. Main St. in Butler.
Monetary donations may be made at any NexTier branch or by mailing a check to any NexTier branch made payable to “Aiden’s Journey.”
