NB Bands Together to Support Two Students Diagnosed With Cancer

Two students at Northern Bedford County Middle School are fighting cancer and their community has stepped up to help them during this difficult time.

After experiencing cyclical fevers and through diagnostic testing, TJ Helsel, 13, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Nov. 15, 2023, a cancer that attacks the lymphatic system.

Quinton Morrow, 14, was diagnosed with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a cancer that affects the spine and brain, on Dec. 17, 2023.

The Northern Bedford community has rallied around these two boys and their families to support them however they can.

Hannah Hutzell, the high school's FBLA advisor, said they are teaming up with Sideline Cancer to hold a basket raffle at the basketball game at NBC on Jan. 10.

All the proceeds from the event will go to benefit TJ and Quinton.

Head boys basketball coach AJ Weyant said the girls basketball game on Monday, Jan. 8, at Claysburg will kick off the events, and the proceeds will also go toward the boys.

During the game at NBC, Weyant said a check with the money collected from both events will be presented to their families during the pre-game ceremony.

"The players are all aware about TJ and Quinton – they know that this is more than just a game," he said.

With the community being so close, the news about TJ and Quinton has hit everyone hard.

"It is great to see how the community is really fighting for them - they have really answered the call to action," Weyant said.

For Quinton, pain the family thought was from a football injury in October turned into going to the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh in early December for what doctors thought was a large hematoma compressing on his spine causing weakness.

There they found a large tumor with other smaller ones on Quinton's spine.

Since being there, he has gone through two very lengthy MRIs and spinal surgery.

"The conversation with the doctors was grade 4, aggressive, and rare," Jen Morrow said.

His first radiation treatment will start on about Jan. 8 which will happen five days a week for six weeks.

After a four-week break, he will start chemotherapy for four months.

Jen said they are looking to be in Pittsburgh for a long time - probably over two months.

"That is a hard pill for us to swallow but it is really hard for a 14-year-old boy," Jen said.

Since Dec. 9 their Gofundme page has collected $33,190, and there is also a Facebook group called "Quinton's Fight – Defeating ATRT" used by the family to keep people updated.

Jen said she was feeling very humbled and overwhelmed by the amount of money raised.

TJ also has a group called "TJ's Team - Kickin' Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

When TJ's condition was diagnosed, Jen wanted to do whatever she could to help him.

"I'm grateful for people doing the same now for us," she said.

Jen said they were able to get a Ronald McDonald room to stay in while Quinton is in the hospital, which will make it easier for his siblings to visit.

Kim Helsel said countless trips have been made to Pittsburgh for appointments, ER visits, and treatments.

TJ is currently going through chemotherapy treatments, and had his second treatment at the time of the interview.

During this time, she said the community has been very supportive.

Kim said people have given them personal donations, there was a benefit wrestling match at Tussey Mountain School District, live auctions, apparel sales, bracelet sale, and many others to help TJ.

"We are grateful to live in a supportive community that really steps up for people during times of hardship," she said.

Kim said she and Jen graduated in the same class together.

"It is not the journey we wanted to take together – we never thought our stories would intersect this way," she said.

Kim said seeing the community rallying to support both of them has meant a lot.

"We are glad to not be alone in this because we have community members, family, friends and God on our side," she said.

NBC middle school principal Kendra Pritchett said there has been a huge outpouring of support for TJ and Quinton from the community and school.

"When a student or family is hurting, we can't help but feel a great deal of sympathy for them," she said.

Pritchett has known both of the boys since they entered middle school as sixth graders and has been communicating with their parents.

She said the small, rural school allows the staff to get to know students and families on a personal level.

"We are heartbroken over both of these situations," Pritchett said.

Community support is important because no matter what one's life circumstances are, they are there to help others in times of need, she said.

Pritchett said the least they can do for families battling life-altering conditions is to ease their financial burdens.

"This is so they can focus on what is most important - their child," she said.

The school working with people hand-in-hand in times of need is vital with it being the hub of the Northern Bedford community.

"This shows our students how to work together to overcome life's unexpected obstacles and to spread love and kindness in this world," Pritchett said.

She said the students in the school are concerned for their friends.

When bracelets came up for sale to support TJ, a close friend stopped at either the middle school or high school offices to purchase ones so he could decorate his arm with support.

"It is obvious that students and staff miss seeing TJ and Quinton at school," Prichett said.

She said their NBC family is hurting, but strives to build each other with encouragement even through the most difficult times.

"I am proud to say that our school and community never hesitate to lend a helping hand," Prichett said.

Those who would like to donate a basket, gift card, or other item to be raffled off for Sideline Cancer, please contact Hutzell at hhutzell@nbcsd.org or drop off items at the NBC High School Office.