A fundraiser is planned for the end of July to support six-year-old Jack Sumner of Beaverton.
Jack, son of Emily and Nate and brother to Liv, faces a rough road of recovery after being diagnosed earlier this year with an aggressive form of cancer on his brain stem and spine. The discovery came after the young boy started displaying concerning symptoms, leading his parents to take him to the hospital.
According to a GoFundMe fundraising page, an MRI performed on May 17 indicated Jack had a fast-growing mass with lesions on his spine. He then underwent a seven-hour surgery.
Now, supporters of the Sumner family are rallying together to offer whatever assistance is possible, with an event scheduled for July 29 at the Beaverton Curling Club.
Emily and Nate are staying at the Ronald McDonald House, according to the GoFundMe page, but Nate has needed to take time off work and the journey ahead is expected to include a number of expenses. 
“Any help to ease the financial burden and stress at this most difficult time would be very appreciated,” reads the GoFundMe page.
Visitors to the page are also asked to pray against cancer, pray against infection or complications and pray that God will return Jack to his normal brain function.
“The doctors told (the Sumners) that it could take Jack months, even possibly years, before he could speak again but about 10 days ago Jack woke up being able to say a couple single words and within hours, he could say sentences again,” said family friend Sandra Schad.
“The doctors and nurses were all amazed.”
Schad, a member of the same homeschooling group as the Sumners, is working with mutual friends to help the family of four cope with the emotional and financial strain caused by Jack’s devastating diagnosis.
Jack was recently moved from SickKids to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital where he started intensive therapy, expected to continue for about a month.
Schad, speaking on behalf of the Sumners, says the family is pursuing medical treatment.
A benefit is set for July 29 at the Beaverton Curling Club (164 Main St., Beaverton) from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and includes door prizes, raffles, games, a buffet and more. Tickets cost $15 each or two for $25 and are available at Community Chest, Smallmart or through the Facebook event page.
