West York rallies for boy with brain tumor
Hudsen Wolfe's classmates at Lincolnway Elementary School made a big poster, saying "We miss u!", and signed a Pokemon T-shirt for him.
West York borough is collecting Valentine's Day cards to give to the 7-year-old to show him love from the community.
Family and friends are selling pies, "Hope for Hudsen" bracelets, and T-shirts, and have established a Go Fund Me page to help raise money for the young boy and his family as he fights a brain tumor.
"It's pretty amazing," said his mother, Shawnta Ross.
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Doctors initially diagnosed Hudsen with a sinus infection, but subsequently discovered he had a brain tumor known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma or DIPG for short.
The tumors originate at the base of the brain and are aggressive and difficult to treat, according to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Within weeks before a diagnosis, children can develop symptoms, including difficulty with walking and speaking.
Hudsen has been traveling to Penn State Hershey Medical Center for radiation treatment.
The life expectancy for Hudsen is nine to 12 months, Ross said, and the family isn't willing to accept that. The family wants to get Hudsen into clinical trials, which are not covered by health insurance.
The Go Fund Me page is helping to raise $100,000 for the family for treatment, friend Nikki Wakeling said.
"He is the most big-hearted kid you'll ever find," she said.
West York Mayor Shawn Mauck said a resident reached out to him about Hudsen's illness and the family needing help.
"How could anyone's heart not break?" Mauck said during a council meeting. "...We have an opportunity to come together and help a little boy out."
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He is asking to the public to show it has a heart and cares, by signing Valentine's Day cards at the borough office, at 1381 W. Poplar St.
Officers will personally deliver the cards to Hudsen on Valentine's Day, Mauck said.
The mayor also encouraged the public to give money to help the family.
The West York Area School District has risen to the occasion to help, Supt. Emilie M. Lonardi said. "Everyone's heart goes out to the family."
The National Honor Society in the high school has been selling T-shirts that say "Hope for Hudsen" as well as bracelets. So far, they have raised more than $6,000, Lonardi said. High school students also have organized a sandwich sale to help the family.
The district is planning a restaurant night from 5 to 9 p.m. March 14 at Isaac's Restaurant in West Manchester Township. Proceeds will go to the family.
West York will be hosting the all-stars basketball game this year, and the money from that will go to the family, too, Lonardi said.
The district pulls together in times like this, she said.
"I feel like we have to do everything we can to help this little boy," Mauck said.
