CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. — The Cedar Springs community came together to raise money for a local teen diagnosed with brain cancer.
On Friday, a spaghetti dinner was held for 15-year-old Brison Ricker, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Sadly, the family also said there is no cure and medical costs are proving to be daunting for them.
Community members showed their support during a fundraiser at the American Legion Post in Cedar Springs in hopes to diminish the medical costs for the Ricker family.
Brison Ricker, also a high school freshman, expressed gratitude when he talked to FOX 17 during the gathering Friday evening.
"It's great how much support I have [and] how many people care," said Brison.
The support for Brison and his family was clear. There was hardly a parking spot left outside or a seat to sit inside the building as the community rallied for this young teen.
The cancer diagnosis was devastating for the family. Brison talked to our crew about the changes he's noticed recently.
"I had double vision and my eyelids started to drupe a bit and how it’s gotten worse over the past couple of weeks."
A silent auction was also held and door prizes were given away to help reach their $30,000 goal for Brison.
FOX 17 talked to Laura Hensley, of Remax Untied, who attended the fundraiser and was eager to help.
"Everyone wants to help him," said Hensley, "Everyone wants to support him [and] wants to make sure that we can raise enough money, so that he can go to Texas to the clinic that he wants to go to and just be able to do it."
Brison's mom, Kim Rickers, also spoke of how supportive the community has been since her son's diagnosis.
"They want us to know that even though we don’t know them that they’re here to support us and are thinking and praying for thinking for our family and thinking of our family everyday," said Kim.
The Ricker's are taking each day as it comes.
"Where our focus is right now is in God's word, not the words of the doctors."
If you'd like to help the Ricker family click here to access their GoFundMe page.
To learn more about the clinic in Texas they're hoping to send Brison to click here.
