By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
A fund has been established to help a Hartselle four-year-old fight his battle with a rare cancer.
Bailey Moore, son of Shannon Moore, was diagnosed in 2004 with neuroblastoma–a form of childhood cancer that typically presents itself before age five. There are currently only 600 cases of neuroblastoma in the U.S. and Canada combined.
Bailey's older brother, Sceiler, is a kindergarten student at F.E. Burleson Elementary School. Sceiler's school family at FEB established The Cancer Fund for Bailey Moore at First American Bank to help Bailey's family with immediate needs and mounting medical expenses.
To date, FEB has donated $3,743 to the fund and secured a cellular phone with the help of Hartselle Verizon Wireless for Bailey's mother to use when travelling to and from Children's Hospital in Birmingham for his multiple weekly chemotherapy treatments.
Debra Harvel, FEB counselor, said a cellular phone was an imperative need for the Moore family.
"One day a couple of weeks ago their car broke down and they had to wait on the side of the interstate for about 45 minutes until someone stopped and helped them," Harvel explained. "They have gotten the car fixed since then, but it has 160,000 miles on it and she needs to be able to call someone for help."
Harvel said Bailey's family will need the continued support of their community to help fight his cancer.
"Many people have responded to Bailey Moore's desperate need. Students and their families have donated their own money, people have collected money at their workplace and church, and others out in the community have come by and made donations," Harvel said. "I know that other schools have made deposits for The Cancer Fund for Bailey Moore at First American Bank, as well. Crestline Elementary School had a hat day to help the family and Hartselle Junior High has taken up donations. Clubs from Hartselle High and Hartselle Junior High said they would like to have a fundraiser for the family. Everyone's help is needed and appreciated by Shannon and her family."
Wings of Hope, a non-profit humanitarian aviation organization, has agreed to fly Bailey and Shannon to Philadelphia soon for an experimental cancer treatment that will hopefully stop the progression of the neuroblastoma. Shannon will have to pay for hotel expenses during the trip as Bailey will not be eligible to stay in the Ronald McDonald House due to the radioactive treatment he will receive.
To make a donation to The Cancer Fund for Bailey Moore, visit any branch of First American Bank.