Mom Marley Orton hugs 13-year-old Luc, who has a cancerous tumor that threatens to wrap around his lungs, airway and spine. He must undergo aggressive chemotherapy once a month, a four-day ordeal. The family has struggled financially. Marley Orton's husband recently returned to work after being without a job for six months, while Marley Orton, a real estate agent, has been dealing with a slow real estate market.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Residents are gathering together on Saturday, Nov. 15, for a huge yard and bake sale to benefit 13-year-old cancer patient Luc Orton.
Stricken with a rare, cancerous tumor that threatens to wrap around his lungs, airway and spine, Luc must undergo aggressive chemotherapy once a month, a four-day ordeal, with the goal of arresting the tumor's growth, said Marley Orton, his mother.
Diagnosed three years ago, Luc had chemo treatments for a year, and the tumor seemed to have stopped growing.
"He was a normal kid," Orton said. "The year he was stable was so great."
But then further tests revealed that the tumor had grown 50 percent. It had intertwined with nerves and blood vessels and was threatening his breathing. A year ago, surgeons cut into his chest cavity and removed some of it. This past spring, surgeons went into his back to remove more. In all they got 90 percent of the growth, she said.
Within three months it had all grown back.
"It feeds on hormones, and at his age he has lots of hormones," Orton said.
To complicate matters, the body supplies a healing hormone after surgery. But the chemotherapy is offering some success, she said.
"Hopefully it will work. We're buying time," Orton said. "He is a very strong boy. Most of the time he has a positive attitude."
While the chemo may help, it also causes uncomfortable side effects. Sores develop in his mouth and go down his throat.
Fortunately the family signed up for Utah's Children's Health Insurance Program for Luc and his siblings, Cecelia, 11, and Zac, 7, before doctors discovered the cancer was active again.
The family has struggled financially. Orton's husband recently returned to work after being without a job for six months, while Marley Orton, a real estate agent, has been dealing with a slow real estate market. She also works part time at the Ranches Academy, where the yard and bake sale will be held, and she is also a hairstylist.
So the community has pitched in.
A friend, Janet Burningham, organized the yard and bake sale. So far at least 40 people have offered to donate items to the yard and bake sale, Orton said.
"I've wanted to help them for some time, especially when their financial situation got worse," said Janet Burningham, who has been a family friend since the Ortons moved into the neighborhood five years ago.
"However, I haven't had the resources myself to make much of an impact, so I thought if everyone got together and helped out a little it would add up to a lot," she said.
"I decided to do a yard sale because that way everyone can help out no matter their financial circumstances. They can help with their time, their donations, or through purchasing items. It's a fun way for everyone to give. And since it's a week before Thanksgiving, it's a great reminder of giving of ourselves to help others in need," she said.
Event organizers also include Susan Scherer, director at the Ranches Academy, Sali Burningham, Jennifer Tillotson, Angie Ferre, who works for the mayor, and Jennifer Morrison, who organized a similar event last April.
"It's been emotional and very overwhelming with the support," Orton said. "I'm so grateful to live in this community."
Bags of groceries have anonymously shown up on the family doorstep as an example of the kindness of neighbors. She keeps a blog at lucorton.com where she records his progress and activities.
The sale is from 8 a.m. to noon at The Ranches Academy, 7789 Tawny Owl Circle. Additionally, an account in Luc's name has been set up at Zions Bank for folks who want to make cash donations. All of the proceeds and donations are going to pay for the family's medical and travel expenses, according to a flyer circulating in Eagle Mountain.
