$6K Raised To Help Pay Bills of Boy Who Passed From Brain Tumor

EAST HAVEN, CT — A fundraiser to help defray the enormous medical bills compiled by the family of Trenton O'Brien, the 7-year-old who courageously battled a brain tumor for many months before passing away, attracted hundreds and raised $6,000 on Sunday.

The event was held at Bar 80 on Foxon Road in North Branford.

Marc Conte, who organized the event along with Clem Laurello and Bar 80 co-owner Tonya Graziano, said “the community rallied” to put the event together.

The following East Haven businesses donated food:

Anthony's Ocean View

John & Maria's Pizza

La Cucina

Cakes by Michele

L & M Express

Among those who were in attendance was Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the O'Brien family. If you would like to simply make a monetary donation, please send to Tonya-Graziano @Tonya-Graziano.

Trenton, a Momauguin Elementary School student was found last summer to have an inoperable cancerous tumor on his brain stem, known as a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma or DIPG.

There was an outpouring of love and support for the boy and his family.

East Haven Public Schools asked faculty, staff, and students to wear yellow and donate $1 as a show of support on Jan, 2. That day, the town — from firehouses to schools, town hall to local businesses —came together to raise awareness about the disease.

East Haven Mayor Joseph Carfora declared Jan. 2, 2020 Trenton Day in East Haven.

An aggressive tumor that progresses very quickly, he endured arduous treatments: he was fitted with a pinpoint radiation mask, a procedure where he had a saturated, thick fishnet-like-plastic sheet draped over his face, while it was still wet, and bolted it to the table he laid upon. He had to lay there for 10 minutes for it to dry and mold custom to his face. A MRI was taken of his brain while the masked cured, so that a 3D map could be made. This map allows for the radiation to be focused onto specific small areas and concentrated levels.

Trenton then underwent a seven-days-a-week, five week radiation treatment.

Ellyn Santiago contributed to this report