More than one hundred people showed up to the Elkins Community Center on Saturday (Mar. 8) to support a local boy with brain cancer.
13 year old Alex Smith has been diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. Right now Alex is at Children's Hospital in Little Rock for treatment. He will head to Houston for radiation, before coming back to Arkansas for chemotherapy.
"Alex is in good spirits," said Amanda Colman, Alex's Aunt. "He is such a fighter and a hard worker. He is going to do whatever it takes to get back where he can come home."
The benefit on Saturday featured music, food and an auction. Kelly Laird, the event manager, said the community has worked hard to make sure Alex and his family know they're not in this fight alone. Laird said all donations will go to the Smith family.
"Money raised will help cover medical bills and expenses while the family is in Little Rock doing chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries," she said. "We want them to know they have two families, one here and one there."
The community raised $13,228.50 for Alex and his family at the event on Saturday.