No one fights cancer alone

Bricelynn Garrett
- Bricelynn Garrett
- Kindergarteners at Southern Local School District “go gray” Friday back in Salineville, as classmate Bricelynn Garrett undergoes brain tumor surgery at Akron Children’s Hospital. His elementary school principal is rallying support for the tot, who was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma over holiday break. (Submitted photo)
- James Watt
Emily Smith, who is the building principal at Southern Local Elementary School, has a second job of sorts as the biggest cheerleader for Bricelynn Garrett, who is in the fight of his life.
Bricelynn, his parents Brittany and Zach and younger sister Annalise, call Hanoverton home but reside within the Indians’ jurisdiction.
Whether it is rallying elementary schools across Ohio to wear gray on Jan. 10 in honor of Bricelynn, who suffers from Medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer, or helping to organize fundraisers ranging from T-shirt sales or benefit basketball games, Smith is all in.
Medulloblastoma usually develops in the cerebellum, which controls coordination, balance and other motor skills. It is slightly more common in boys than girls and most often is found in school age children younger than age 16.
“These tumors are often cancerous and affect 250 to 500 children each year,” the Nationwide Children’s Hospital website explains.
On Friday, Bricelynn wasn’t in attendance at Southern Local Elementary School as he went under the knife at Akron Children’s Hospital to have one of the two brain tumors removed, the location of the second too perilous to deal with at this time.
Smith explained, “(Bricelynn) started to become ill in late fall and early winter. They thought it originally was strep throat. We also noticed some changes at school and relayed it to his parents. Once he went on (holiday) break, two days after Christmas, his family told me that he felt sick and couldn’t move his legs.”
After a trip to the emergency room, doctors conducted a MRI and discovered two tumors on his brain and multiple ones on his spine.
He had a shunt put in, which appeared to help relieve some of the pressure, and did a spinal surgery around New Year’s Day.
After Friday’s surgery, which they hope also will provide more answers, it is expected Bricelynn will need chemo and radiation.
“This type of brain cancer is common for kids age 5 to 9,” Smith explained.
She hoped that the spirit of the other 50-plus Ohio school districts throughout Ohio that forwarded their group photos wearing gray, which is the color associated with childhood brain cancer awareness, would offer support in his fight.
Smith said that Southern Local boys’ basketball team is hosting Leetonia on Friday, Jan. 24. All of the proceeds, including ticket sales and concessions, will go to the Garrett family, as well as a 50/50 drawing and basket raffle.
She explained that 20-plus baskets are expected with at least each grade level contributing one to the effort.
Junior varsity action at the game begins at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity game to follow.
The school also is collecting monetary donations for the family through Wednesday, Jan. 22. For information on contributing, contact Smith via email at emily.smith@slindians.org or call 330-679-2344 x4058.