For The Daily Journal
An Edinburgh family whose son is fighting for his life is getting help from a national nonprofit organization to raise lots of money — and fast.
Four-year-old Martin Weber, son of Tara Lee Arterburn and Marty Weber, was diagnosed in January with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, a rare brain tumor. Shortly after his diagnosis, doctors gave the boy a life expectancy of two to six months.
But with the help of a clinical trial in Boston, Massachusetts, doctors could provide Martin with a medication to extend his life an additional three to five years, his family said.
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A national nonprofit is on a mission to raise $9,000 within days to help save his life.
When Brodi Nicholas, founder and CEO of Campaign One At A Time, learned of Martin’s story, he offered to help. Campaign One At A Time is a nonprofit organization based out of Rocklin, California, that helps children fighting life-threatening diseases. The organization often takes children and their families to fun events and gives them gifts and experiences relevant to their passions, but Martin’s story struck a different chord.
“We are on a mission to raise $9,000 by the first week of July so we can send Martin to the clinical trial in Boston,” Nicholas said. “We just saw this kid needed somebody, so we went for it.”
A benefit concert on Sunday will help in the collection effort.
Nearly $3,500 has already been raised. Nicholas said Martin cannot wait for the team at Campaign One At A Time to fly into Indiana.
“Martin is so excited,” Nicholas said. “We get these little videos of him singing and rapping different songs. We’re going to try to bring him up on stage to play some music with us, too.”
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A concert to raise funds for a 4-year-old Edinburgh boy, Martin Weber, with a rare brain tumor
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at The Commons, 300 Washington St., Columbus
Entertainment: Music from Columbus’ Brian Fortner and games, snacks, a raffle and crafts
Give: People who donate $15 or more will receive a limited-edition One At A Time bracelet, which can be used as a VIP pass for free food at the concert.
Help: If you can’t attend, you can still make a donation at campaignOAAT.org/Martin.
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