by Brittany Sa and Cassidy Ronk

After successfully raising over $1,200 to benefit pediatric cancer awareness, the boys’ baseball team learned, in an ironic twist of fate, that one of their own had been diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a large malignant brain tumor.

The fundraiser, called Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer, is run by Go4TheGoal, which has organizations sell gold–the color of pediatric cancer awareness–shoelaces for $5.00 a pair. According to their website, “$4.00 from each pair of laces plus 100% of donations go back to helping kids with cancer and their families in the area the funds are raised.”

Go4TheGoal’s mission is “to improve the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, developing and implementing unique hospital programs, funding innovative research, and granting personal wishes.”

When Go4TheGoal heard about Ben Lepisto, a freshman athlete who participated in boys’ baseball and ran track, they donated the money back to him and his family–one of several charitable acts in support of the freshman and his family.

After word of Ben’s illness was announced, it seemed that almost instantly, the community was organized in an effort to defray mounting medical bills, and garner support for him and his family. T-shirts with “Barrons for Ben” emblazoned across the chest, wristbands, and sports sleeves went on sale, and fundraisers at Strawberry’s Pub and Chick-Fil-A were organized, all in support of Ben.

By the end of April, over 11,600 people had joined the “Barrons for Ben” Facebook page, created by friends of Ben, including Woodbridge Township councilman Kyle Anderson, whose goal is to get the group up to 20,000 members. “It has been a great resource,” Councilman Anderson said, “where we can organize events to raise money for Ben’s medical expenses, offer support, motivation, and create awareness.

“As a councilman, nothing gives me a greater appreciation of my town than when we unite to help one of our own.”

“The best thing is,” said Woodbridge High School’s principal, Mr. Lottmann, “you see a lot of messages on Facebook [from people] who never went to Woodbridge High School, or don’t even know about our town, and they’re like, ‘I wish our town was more like yours.’”

Besides the community, Ben has received support from around the world. In a matter of weeks, not only Woodbridge residents were trying to help, but military personnel stationed overseas, people from Dubai, the Philippines, the UK, Kuwait, and Hawaii, all through the power of an online community.

“Facebook and social media, unfortunately, have negative things about [them], but things like this make me remember why we have social media, because there is some good that comes out of it,” Principal Lottmann said. The power of social media has helped gain traction for the numerous fundraisers in Ben’s honor, like Bowling for Ben at the Woodbridge Bowling Center on May 14th, and the spaghetti dinner to be held on May 15th at the high school.

According to Councilman Anderson, Barrons for Ben has raised close to $20,000 so far. “The Bank of Woodbridge has promised $5,000, With Eddie’s Help (another charitable organization) have donated $2,000, the Go Fund Me Page has $7,300 presently, and we have brought in approximately $3,500.  Other local businesses have contributed around $1,500 so far,” he said.

Mr. Lottmann said, “Woodbridge is great at turning a tragedy into something positive. I’m proud to be a part of this school community that, whenever somebody needs it, we are here.”

While Ben’s long journey gets underway, there is, unfortunately another child in the community who is also battling cancer, and Councilman Anderson said the community is also coming together for her. Gabby, from the Fords section of the Township, was diagnosed with Leukemia three years ago and beat it before it came back, according to the Facebook group “Spreak the Love ❤ Gabby & Isha.”

“I do think [Barrons for Ben] sets a precedent for how children with pediatric diseases can gain support,” Councilman Anderson said. “Our young people should use this as an example [of] how Facebook or other social medias [sic] can be used for things other that music, humor, and tasteless actions like fights.”

There’s no doubt that Ben and his family are feeling the wave of support stemming from the community, and in times like these, Councilman Anderson is reminded of a quote by President John F. Kennedy. “As we express our gratitude, we never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

For those interested in helping the Lepisto family, please join “Barrons for Ben” on Facebook, where an extensive list of upcoming fundraisers can be found, including ways to volunteer.