Community to ride, dine and dance for girl
Janelle Burkett, 8, of Dry Tavern is currently undergoing treatment after a tumor was removed from her brain. Fundraisers will be held on Aug. 18 and Aug. 30 in Greene and Washington counties, respectively.
DRY TAVERN – Eight-year-old Janelle Burkett of Dry Tavern loves to dance. She takes ballet, tap and acrobatics. In her dance studio photos she looks like a dancer, perfect posture, petite and poised. Friends describe her as quiet, funny and very, very sweet. When Janelle isn’t dancing they say she is lost in a book.
Outwardly, she is like any other young girl of her age.
Inwardly, a battle is being waged. Earlier in the summer, this healthy, vibrant child became ill. It began with flu-like symptoms, dehydration and headaches.
Her father, Jason, took her to repeated doctor’s visits. Each time the results were the same and Janelle was pronounced healthy. When Janelle’s eyes began to appear crossed, they went to see an eye doctor.
“Everyone kept on saying she was fine until we took her to see the eye doctor,” Jason said.
The doctor told Jason he needed to get Janelle an appointment with a specialist at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC immediately. He explained to Jason that one of the optic nerves in Janelle’s left eye was small. It is a condition called optic nerve hypoplasia and can indicate several health problems that must be addressed.
Jason made the appointment and in the meantime, Janelle had a dance recital to prepare for that Thursday. The night of the dress rehearsal, she was on stage practicing for just a few minutes when she had to sit down. Jason took her to the emergency room where she received fluids, felt better, and was cleared to return to the dance studio.
“The doctor said it was OK for her dance. She did a few of her routines but not all. You could just tell there was something wrong,” said dance instructor Mandi Baney. “Jason called on Tuesday and said they had taken her into surgery. It all happened very fast.”
At the Monday appointment Janelle underwent a barrage of tests before a doctor came to speak with Jason. He broke the news that Janelle had a tumor at the base of her skull. After more testing the doctors determined the tumor was medulloblastoma cancer.
“I was shocked. I mean, it is my little girl,” he said. The following day Janelle was in surgery to remove the tumor.
Medulloblastoma tumors are located in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and other complex motor functions. It is the most common malignant central nervous system tumor in children.
For the young dancer, it has meant being in a wheelchair and walking with assistance while she heals. Despite being semi-mobile for the time being, the young dancer has remained positive and even visits the dance studio, Baney said.
When Jason and his mom initially broke the news to Janelle she was understandably scared but he quickly made clear to her that everything that could be done to get her better would be. Grandma and dad would make sure of that, Jason told her.
“She is a little trouper,” said Jason. “She always has a smile on her face.”
Janelle recently told an organizer of one of her fundraisers that she may have to take her third-grade year off at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary to be home-schooled. Doctors have warned her there is a serious risk if she were to take a blow to the head during recess or gym class.
After enduring countless hospital trips, multiple tests and surgeries, the doctors have told the Burketts they believe the tumor is completely removed. However, Janelle is still not in the clear, her father said.
Their daily regimen consists of driving to Children’s Hospital, first for six weeks of radiation, followed by another several weeks of chemotherapy. The odds are in her favor. There is a 70 percent chance that Janelle will not face a reoccurrence.
When Janelle’s story reached the community, people wanted to do something to help Jason offset the costs of travel and medical expenses.
Locally, the Rices Landing American Legion Post 816 has organized a motorcycle ride, noting that cages are welcome. Cages can be cars, trucks, or any vehicle that is street legal.
The ride will take place on Aug. 18 at the legion with registration from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Kickstands go up at 11 a.m. The cost to participate is $20 for riders and $15 for passengers. A spaghetti dinner for Janelle will also be held at the legion the day of the ride from noon until 5 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for the dinner or they can be purchased in advance at the legion. The cost of the dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children 8 and under.
Organizers are asking that books for an 8-year old be donated because Janelle loves to read. In exchange, the donor will receive five tickets for the silent auction. There will also be a 50/50 drawing.
Pre-event donations will be accepted through Aug. 9. Checks can be made payable to: Janelle Burkett Fund and mailed c/o Sandra Hogue, 129 Terrace Ave., Jefferson, PA 15344. The account for Janelle is set up at the First National Bank in Rices Landing for those who wish to contribute directly. Sponsors who donate $100 or more will have their name on the back of ride for Janelle t-shirts. Donations of spaghetti, meatballs and sauce, and baskets for the silent auction are also welcome.
A second fundraiser for Janelle is being held by her dance studio family. The Evolving Artists Dance Studio in Washington will hold a dance workshop on Aug. 30 at the Salvation Army, 60 E. Maiden St., Washington. The cost is $20 per dancer for one class including food or $30 for two classes with food. Barbeque food will also be available for purchase.
For more information about the Ride for Janelle and spaghetti dinner, contact Sandi at 724-710-6653, or Gina at 724-833-7808. For more information about the dance workshop and barbecue dinner, contact Mandi at 724-503-4541.
Jason said his dream for Janelle is a simple one.
“I want for her to grow up and be able to have her own family some day,” he said.