Community rallies around 9-year-old Greene youth with brain tumor for Jeep-inspired fundraiser
The Jeep Wrangler started out as an all-terrain reconnaissance vehicle for the U.S. Army during World War II. With its reputation for ruggedness and adaptability, the vehicle offers a fitting fundraising theme for Jax Hunyady of Greensboro, a 9-year-old who underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor last November.
“Jax is a fighter and always has been,” said Rachel Magerko, Jax’s stepmother. “He is the younger brother, so he’s always had to stand his ground,” referring to Jax’s seven siblings.
In support of Jax, Jay Shultz, owner of Roy’s Pub in Uniontown, is hosting a Jeep-inspired Christmas in July Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. With all proceeds going to Jax, the daylong event will feature raffles, music, a cornhole tournament, car show and toy drive.
Shultz, a self-proclaimed Jeep enthusiast, said he wanted to hold a car show to drum up a little business for his newly purchased pub at 622 Pittsburgh Road. While researching fellow “motorheads” in the area, he came across Dan Hunyady’s High Strung Motor Sport website, which belongs to Jax’s dad.
After learning about Jax’s journey, Shultz said he was inspired to help and decided to host the Jeep show to raise money for Jax and his family. The only stipulation came from Jax himself.
“Jax’s family told me from the gate that all Jax wanted was to have toys so he could pass them out to other sick kids,” Shultz said. “So we decided to do a Christmas in July stuff-a-Jeep event.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring toys to help fill one of the many Jeeps that will be at the fundraiser.
Along with receiving an outpouring of offers from people who want to help, Shultz said the local business community has been “more than generous.”
“Literally, every single business I’ve approached … are donating,” Shultz said. “They didn’t ask questions in any way, shape or form; I told them what was happening, and they jumped on board.”
Even Shultz’s employees, unbeknownst to him until recently, are planning to chip in. General manager Breanna Blackstone, of Connellsville, said she and several other employees plan on contributing, some by donating money and time, and others, like Blackstone, by making baskets for the auctions. Blackstone also said she and several other employees are donating their wages from working Sunday to Jax.
“Jax’s backstory is really moving,” said Blackstone. “The little boy is going through a lot and wants to give back to the kids that are going through the same thing.”
Jax was 8 years old when he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, on Nov. 8, 2023.
After the 10-hour surgery, he developed posterior fossa syndrome, a condition that affects about 25% of children who undergo similar surgery. The condition can cause speech and communication difficulties, problems with muscle control and coordination and mood changes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“This was the most difficult time for us as a family because we watched him walk into that hospital on Nov. 6, 2023, with a headache and come to find out he had brain cancer,” said Rachel Magerko, Jax’s stepmother. “We never would have imagined this.”
Jax’s family said his journey has been challenging, from the weekly chemotherapy therapy sessions, which just ended in June, to additional surgeries and numerous medical appointments. But they remain hopeful.
“It’s been a rough road, (like) fighting infections, fevers and nausea,” Magerko said. “Each day has new challenges. New wins.”
Jax’s father has been a major influence and motivator throughout, said Magerko, awakening every morning at 7 a.m. to do a workout with his son.
“When Jax lost all mobility and couldn’t communicate, his father, Dan, became even more determined to do everything he could for Jax,” Magerko said.
Jax’s family has prioritized making sure the 9-year-old feels like a kid. From going on walks to fishing, riding quads and enjoying the outdoors, Magerko said the family wants to make sure each day is a “good one” for Jax.
Magerko, who created a GoFundMe account for Jax to update friends and family on the
youngster’s progress, said support from the community has been “moving.”
“We live in a small town, so when something like this hits one family, everyone comes together,” Magerko said. “The first few weeks of this journey I had so much food at my house from a food train that someone organized. It was truly amazing.”
To donate to Jax’s GoFundMe visit The Jeep Wrangler started out as an all-terrain reconnaissance vehicle for the U.S. Army during World War II. With its reputation for ruggedness and adaptability, the vehicle offers a fitting fundraising theme for Jax Hunyady of Greensboro, a 9-year-old who underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor last November.
“Jax is a fighter and always has been,” said Rachel Magerko, Jax’s stepmother. “He is the younger brother, so he’s always had to stand his ground,” referring to Jax’s seven siblings.
In support of Jax, Jay Shultz, owner of Roy’s Pub in Uniontown, is hosting a Jeep-inspired Christmas in July Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. With all proceeds going to Jax, the daylong event will feature raffles, music, a cornhole tournament, car show and toy drive.
Shultz, a self-proclaimed Jeep enthusiast, said he wanted to hold a car show to drum up a little business for his newly purchased pub at 622 Pittsburgh Road. While researching fellow “motorheads” in the area, he came across Dan Hunyady’s High Strung Motor Sport website, which belongs to Jax’s dad.
After learning about Jax’s journey, Shultz said he was inspired to help and decided to host the Jeep show to raise money for Jax and his family. The only stipulation came from Jax himself.
“Jax’s family told me from the gate that all Jax wanted was to have toys so he could pass them out to other sick kids,” Shultz said. “So we decided to do a Christmas in July stuff-a-Jeep event.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring toys to help fill one of the many Jeeps that will be at the fundraiser.
Along with receiving an outpouring of offers from people who want to help, Shultz said the local business community has been “more than generous.”
“Literally, every single business I’ve approached … are donating,” Shultz said. “They didn’t ask questions in any way, shape or form; I told them what was happening, and they jumped on board.”
Even Shultz’s employees, unbeknownst to him until recently, are planning to chip in. General manager Breanna Blackstone, of Connellsville, said she and several other employees plan on contributing, some by donating money and time, and others, like Blackstone, by making baskets for the auctions. Blackstone also said she and several other employees are donating their wages from working Sunday to Jax.
“Jax’s backstory is really moving,” said Blackstone. “The little boy is going through a lot and wants to give back to the kids that are going through the same thing.”
Jax was 8 years old when he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, on Nov. 8, 2023.
After the 10-hour surgery, he developed posterior fossa syndrome, a condition that affects about 25% of children who undergo similar surgery. The condition can cause speech and communication difficulties, problems with muscle control and coordination and mood changes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“This was the most difficult time for us as a family because we watched him walk into that hospital on Nov. 6, 2023, with a headache and come to find out he had brain cancer,” said Rachel Magerko, Jax’s stepmother. “We never would have imagined this.”
Jax’s family said his journey has been challenging, from the weekly chemotherapy therapy sessions, which just ended in June, to additional surgeries and numerous medical appointments. But they remain hopeful.
“It’s been a rough road, (like) fighting infections, fevers and nausea,” Magerko said. “Each day has new challenges. New wins.”
Jax’s father has been a major influence and motivator throughout, said Magerko, awakening every morning at 7 a.m. to do a workout with his son.
“When Jax lost all mobility and couldn’t communicate, his father, Dan, became even more determined to do everything he could for Jax,” Magerko said.
Jax’s family has prioritized making sure the 9-year-old feels like a kid. From going on walks to fishing, riding quads and enjoying the outdoors, Magerko said the family wants to make sure each day is a “good one” for Jax.
Magerko, who created a GoFundMe account for Jax to update friends and family on the
youngster’s progress, said support from the community has been “moving.”
“We live in a small town, so when something like this hits one family, everyone comes together,” Magerko said. “The first few weeks of this journey I had so much food at my house from a food train that someone organized. It was truly amazing.”
To donate to Jax’s GoFundMe, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/jaxamillion-strong.