News

Actions

West Michigan Boy Battles Cancer With Help From a Network of Thousands

Posted at 11:03 PM, Jun 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-25 11:47:19-04

BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. — A West Michigan boy battling brain cancer is finding support within the community and around the world.

Two-year-old Caden Brown in the southern Van Buren County town of Bloomingdale was diagnosed with brain cancer in September of 2012. He has had several surgeries to remove a brain tumor, but doctors were only able to get 40 percent of it. His father, Jacob Brown, says recently the cancer has progressively gotten worse but the support from the community continues to inspire his family.

“I’m so proud of Caden, as a father I couldn’t be more proud of the way he’s fought. He never complains, never complains a day.”

In the last week, the Prayers For Caden Facebook has grown by 15,000 likes, and every day the Browns get dozens of letters showing support from people all around the country. People have written that Caden’s story has touched them and taught them about the importance of life, says Jacob.

The community has held several fundraisers and even made bracelets and cookbooks to help the family pay for medical expenses.

Jacob says a playground will also be built in Caden’s honor at a local park in Bloomingdale, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The next fundraiser for Caden’s family is a car wash scheduled July 7 at the Bloomingdale Fire Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.