Toddler struggles with cancer

By Robert Cloud

A 20-month-old boy is fighting for his life.

The son of Aaron and Ashlay Crist, of Weyauwega, Weston was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer.

On Nov. 22, his parents took him to the emergency room at ThedaCare Medical Center-New London because his belly was extended, he was not eating and he had a fever.

That same night, the emergency room staff sent Weston to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Fox Valley, where they found an abdominal tumor.

The following day, Weston was taken by ambulance to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.

A biopsy on Thanksgiving Day found the 4.3-inch tumor was cancerous.

“He was in the hospital for two weeks, and then sent home for a week while a treatment plan was created,” according to Amy Deering, Weston’s great-aunt.

Deeing told the Waupaca County Post that Weston went back to Children’s Hospital for chemotherapy on Dec. 12 as an outpatient, while staying with his parents at the Ronald McDonald house.

On Dec. 14, the hospital re-admitted Weston because fluid had built up and was causing him difficulty in breathing.
“Hopefully, he will be able to finish his chemo as outpatient, but at this time they do not know,” Deering said. “It all depends on how his body handles the treatment. The chemo needs to shrink the size of the tumor before they can operate and remove it safely. It’s a long process, and no one knows how Weston’s body will react to the treatments. Every day it changes.”

His parents have taken time off of work to be with him. They both have deep roots in the area.

Weston’s mother, Ashlay, is a certified nursing assistant at the Wisocnsin Veterans Home in King. Born and raised in Waupaca, she is the daughter of Jill Borkowski, of Wild Rose, and Dave and RhondaLee Breitzman, Granton, and the granddaughter of Jane Chivers, Waupaca, and the late John Adriaenssens.

Weston’s father, Aaron, works for Presto Products in Weyauwega. He was born and raised in Weyauwega, the son of Lynn and the late Jim Crist. His grandparents are Irene and the late Jim Williams, of Wild Rose, and Doris and the late Bill Crist, of Weyauwega.

Weston is not fighting his battle with cancer alone, thanks to “Warriors for Weston.”

“Family and friends are taking care of their mail, watching their home, caring for their dog, helping to raise money by donating and sharing their story and link on GoFundMe, putting up posters locally, helping to organize additional fundraisers and giving lots of love and prayers. They have also been visited in Milwaukee by many family members,” Deering said.

The Weyauwega-Fremont High School wresting team and the Weyauwega Knights of Columbus donated money to Weston’s Family Fund.

St. Anne’s Parish Council of Christian Women will host a chili luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Weyauwega, hosted by PCCW of Weyauwega.

“Weston’s Warriors” T-shirt and silicone bands will be for sale soon.

Family and friends have also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help with the medical costs.

“It’s amazing to see how kind and generous people are,” Deering said. “One little girl donated money to the fund as part of a family ‘pay-it-forward’ holiday tradition. They live in Delaware and are no relation to Weston.”

Go to www.gofundme.com/WestonCrist for more information on how to help Weston and his family.