Family of 4-Year-Old's Cancer Patient to Hold Pasta Fundraiser at St. Elizabeth Seton Church

Earlier this year, a 4-year-old Petaluma boy was diagnosed with a form of leukemia affecting his blood stream and causing tumors on his spine and pelvis. He's now undergoing chemotherapy, has weekly visits to a clinic 50 miles from home and will have to miss eight months of school, according to posts on a fundraising website.

"One of the tumors on his spine has grown into it, obstructing his spine, making walking, standing and sitting very painful," the website states. "We are hoping that the chemo will quickly shrink this tumor, so the pain subsides. He will have to wear a back brace to protect his spine as the tumor shrinks leaving a gap in his bone. He will need to wear this brace until his bone grows back, if his spine collapses it could leave him paralyzed. We are hoping that with the advanced oncology treatments and amazing oncology team he can get through this!"

A pasta fundraiser will be held for Jayden on Sept. 27 in Rohnert Park. Admission for adults is $15, and children 5 - 12 years old are $10. Kids younger than 5 are free.

The fundraiser will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 4595 Snyder Lane in Rohnert Park.

His family says most of his treatment is covered by insurance, but transportation costs will add up quickly and his mother has opted to stop working to stay home with him. A donation page for Jayden has already reached $8,150, surpassing a goal of $8,000.