Ringgold Elementary School student Jaiden Patten is fighting cancer. A benefit in his honor is coming up inside the Ringgold Primary School Cafe.Like many 9-year-olds, Jaiden Patten likes Captain America. So in his honor, T-shirts are on order that feature the Captain America logo with a "J" on it and the words "Jaiden the real Superhero."
The shirts aren't a birthday present - though he celebrated his ninth birthday just three weeks ago - they're to help support the Ringgold Elementary School third-grader in his cancer battle.
"Jaiden was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma," said Shawn Kirk Stanley, who is organizing a benefit to help his family with medical and travel expenses. "He will have to take chemotherapy for a minimum of three years."
The benefit is being held in Ringgold Primary School's cafe Saturday, Nov. 12 from 4-8 p.m. There will be an auction and a hot dog chili supper. Each $5 plate will include a hot dog, chili, chips, dessert and a soda.
"We need gift certificates for haircuts, oil changes and sun tan visits, just anything that we can auction," Stanley said. "It can be from a florist or a gift card to a restaurant. We hope to raise $2,000. Modern Woodmen's Shane Catlett will match up to $1,000."
Stanley has been teaching Jaiden in the after-care program at Ringgold Primary School, which shares RES' campus.
"He loves Captain America, loves to draw and fly paper airplanes, loves Hot Wheels, loves Spiderman, loves basketball, and loves four-wheeling with his dad," she said.
Those wishing to donate to Jaiden and his family can also do so via a GoFundMe page titled Team Jaiden Patten.
And, Stanley said, a different kind of drive - a bone marrow drive - is being hosted in his honor Dec. 21 from 1-4 p.m.
"I assume it is at RES," she said.