The benefit features a one-pitch softball tournament, an auction and food.
HADLEY - Several months ago, 2 -year-old Claire O’Donnell had a cold that wouldn’t go away and then she stopped walking.
Doctors diagnosed her with neuroblastoma - a malignant tumor that develops from nerve tissue.
For Claire, the cancer grew in her abdomen and spine, and pinched the nerves in her back impeding her walking. Since then she’s had 10 rounds of chemotherapy as well as a 14-hour operation, said her aunt Kelly Martula.
And the treatment is not over, some of the cancer remains. All of this has taken a toll on Martula’s brother Jim and his wife Alison as well as Claire’s 5-year-old sister Chelsea.
So she and others in the community have come together to help provide both financial and emotional support. A fund-raiser for the family is being held Aug. 7 at the Young Men’s Club with a one-pitch softball tournament, food for sale to help out with bills not covered by insurance as well as a raffle and auction.
Martula said there’s gas and food costs lost time from work among the costs.
“It’s just been a lot for them. We all have our moments,” she said about the worry. “I see the drain (on her brother and sister-in-law.) But she said “we’re a tight knit family.”
And it’s a tight-knit community. The response from the community for the event humbling.
Her husband James is the president of the Young Men’s Club and the club is allowing them to use the site for the one-pitch softball tournament, barbecue, raffles and auction.
The Szawlowskis in Hatfield, for example, have donated potatoes for the potato bar. “We have so many amazing people in our lives.”
So far, 10 teams have registered to play and they will accept just two more. In a on-pitch tournament, every batter comes to the plate with a three ball and two strike count. The first game begins at 10 the barbecue about 11:30, she said.
Besides food there will raffles and a silent auction including items such a condo stay in Sanibel Island, Florida, a Cape Cod Cruise, Red Sox tickets and a bicycle.
Anyone who’d like to donate items for the raffle or play in the tournament, should call Martula at (413) 563- 6128.
And if all goes well with Claire, she and her family will attend as well.