West End Rallies Around Ill Boy

Blaise McNair and his mother, Linda McNair, at Duke Hospital following Blaise’s diagnosis of an inoperable tumor on his brain stem.

By JOHN LENTZ

As of Friday, June 15, 2012

A diagnosis of inoperable brain cancer from out of the blue is devastating. But when the patient is an 10-year-old boy, the pain is unfathomable.

The West End community is struggling with that very thing these days as members rally to support 10-year-old Blaise McNair and his family.

Blaise, a student at West End Elementary School, was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Friends and family are now rallying to to raise funds for Blaise’s medical treatments and to pay bills and other expenses for his mother, Linda.

Blaise’s illness came without any prior warnings or symptoms, said Linda’s sister Rebecca Mabe, adding that the family “is doing the best we can” in light of the sudden developments.

“Blaise was perfectly fine, and then two weeks ago while he was out playing basketball he started to have some problems,” Mabe said. “He suddenly lost motor coordination in his right side and began slurring his speech.

“My sister closed her business, The Nail Boutique in West End, on the day that he was diagnosed in order to take care of him. We now have several events planned to raise money to cover traveling expenses for trips back and forth to Duke, for food, for bills, whatever is needed to help them as much as possible.”

The first event will be a benefit yard sale on Saturday, followed by a candlelight prayer vigil Sunday at 9 p.m. at the flagpole on the West End Elementary School campus. A charity motorcycle ride with a lunch benefit are also scheduled for June 30.

Titled “Blaise Spirit Blaze,” Saturday’s yard sale will begin at 7 a.m. between Pinehurst and Carthage at the Classy Paci Consignment Boutique on U.S. 15-501, located beside the Harley- Davidson dealership. Owner Allison Crissman said that many attractions will be offered at the fundraising event.

“Outside of the store we will have a yard sale featuring lots of clothes for kids and adults, along with shoes, toys, books and more,” said Crissman. “A bounce house for children will be featured from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Panera has donated bagels and cream cheese, and Rita’s Ice will be donating items as well.”

Crissman said specials will be offered inside the business to assist the family.

“Inside the store we will be running special deals and sales with a percentage of all proceeds going to the McNair family. We’re hoping that this benefit will be a big help to the McNairs in their time of need.”

Asked why she is assisting the family, whom she has never met, Crissman said it was what she “was called to do.”

“We all have families, and if we found ourselves in this situation we would need assistance from others,” she said. “When I learned about Blaise’s situation, I thought I could do something to help. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Those attending Sunday’s candlelight vigil in West End are asked to wear Carolina blue in honor of Blaise.

The Blaise McNair Charity Ride and Lunch Benefit, scheduled for next week, will begin at the Carthage Fire Department on U.S. 15-501. Registration takes place at 8 a.m. with the ride beginning at 10 a.m. Costs will be $15 for a single rider or $20 for a double rider. A 12:30 p.m. lunch is included and a silent auction will be held.

“Donations may be made at any of these events and we encourage you to do so,” Mabe said. “One hundred percent of the yard sale proceeds will go toward benefitting the McNair family, and a percentage of sales at the Classy Paci will be donated as well.”

Mabe described Blaise as “a lively, athletic, sweet boy whose smile lights up a room.”

“His dream is to become a pro golfer,” she said. “Blaise is a positive influence on those around him and has always been one to be kind and help others.”

Contact Crissman at (910) 295-9100 for more information or to donate items to the yard sale.

Donations may also be made to the Blaise McNair Family Fund at First Bank, or to Tony or Linda McNair at their account with the State Employees’ Credit Union. Send donations in their name to SECU, P.O. Box 599, Southern Pines, NC 28388.

For additional information, visit the Facebook pages “Praying for Blaise McNair” or the Classy Paci Consignment Boutique.

Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot.com.

More like this story

xemrac 11 months, 1 week ago

My thoughts and prayers are with Blaise and his family.

tarheelborn 11 months, 1 week ago

""with a percentage of all proceeds going to the McNair family"".

""and a percentage of sales at the Classy Paci will be donated as well.”"

""One hundred percent of the yard sale proceeds will go toward benefitting the McNair family""

@Owner Allison Crissman. Look. Don't USE this Very Unfortunate condition of a Sick Child to CAPITALIZE off this FUND RAISING EVENT! Either Close your store and DONATE the outside Sales Area, or DONATE ALL THE SALES FROM YOUR STORE for this ONE DAY ONLY Money Raising Event. Maybe you are, but I don't know always OPEN ON SATURDAYS???

""Crissman said it was what she “was called to do."" ""I feel like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Well let me say one thing here. When a person is CALLED to do something, THEY DO AND GIVE THEIR VERY BEST! The Very Best is NOT giving a PERCENTAGE of SALES! It is GIVING ALL OF THE SALES!

Sorry if anyone disagrees. That is your prerogative or egalitarian view... However, do the RIGHT and JUST thing! God looks on the person which goes OVER and BEYOND the giving of their SUBSTANCE!

Think about it and I think you or anyone will be hard pressed to DISAGREE! OMGosh, it's ONLY ONE DAY for goodness sake! Really FOR ""GOODNESS"" SAKE!

Dirty 11 months, 1 week ago

I'll be there saturday to help. I hope that others will be as well. Tar-Heel it's good to know you will be the biggest help as you had stated " Do the RIGHT and JUST thing! God looks on the person which goes OVER and BEYOND the giving of their SUBSTANCE! s" I'm sure you wont let this call from God, go straight to voice mail. As forthright as you sound, you will do great things to assist those in need and not stand around and criticize. Lets all help out this Saturday. A person cant help but feel good when they are helping others. So come out and feel good...

Courseaire 11 months, 1 week ago

tarheelborn: When a person is CALLED to do something, THEY DO AND GIVE THEIR VERY BEST! The Very Best is NOT giving a PERCENTAGE of SALES! It is GIVING ALL OF THE SALES!

No tarheelborn, a person does what they can and the recipient is grateful for it. God does not judge based on good deeds - you'd better go back and read a little more.

My prayers to Blaise.

herecomesthescience 11 months, 1 week ago

When you put EVERY other WORD in ALL CAPS nobody takes you SERIOUSLY and thinks YOU ARE A NUT. Relax for heavens sake, slow down, and stop yelling at everybody.

jahuphs1982 11 months, 1 week ago

Praying for Blaise and his family!!

getreal 11 months, 1 week ago

I wish the best for Blaise and his family. It is a tough battle ahead, one can only hope that his parents will have the best medical advice possible. That means second opinions and hopefully the ability to travel to the best cancer care centers in the country. Don't give up, find the best doctors you can, they are not necessarily the closest to where you live. I am sure the care here is excellent, but this is an exception, very difficult to treat. There maybe treatments that are not available here. I hope the donations will make this possible for the family. Maybe the people who donate their airplanes for flying cancer patients to important destinations can accommodate the travel needed. I know what I am talking about from personal experience. Good luck with whatever your parents decide, I will keep you in my thoughts and keep a positive attitude!

Pinehurst2012 11 months, 1 week ago

Wow! Who can read this article without shedding tears. It makes the problems of our everyday life seem so small and unimportant. My prayers will be for God to heal this little boy. I have no idea what the parents must be going through but I can say Nahum 1:7 was a rock to me when I had a trial with my own son's health.

God bless you and remember yesterday is forgotten, tomorrow is a gift, that is why they call it the present!

MikeNC 11 months, 1 week ago

I would to add, if anyone in the local area of Pinerhust can not get out to West End this weekend, Lydia's Consignment Shop on Hwy 5 are close friends of this family and have a donation box on the counter. Lydia's told me this sad story yesterday when I was there and couldn't get the money out of my pocket fast enough to help. God Bless this beautiful family. Diane

BLAZE_SPIRIT_BLAZE 11 months, 1 week ago

tarheelborn:

There is an old saying that will serve everyone in this world well to remember: ‘It is better to remain silent and thought stupid, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt’.

Consignment is an agreement between 2 parties on which CRISSMAN cannot speak for the other half. CRISSMAN’s percentage IS 100% donated, however CRISSMAN cannot answer for the other party as they may or may not agree to donating their percentage.

I know the people associated with this store and this benefit, and know what their plans are to do with these proceeds. And, more importantly so does GOD. And I feel certain that GOD is most pleased. –‘For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many THANKSGIVINGS unto GOD.’ 2 Corinthians 9:12

CRISSMAN herself will not be making any money for herself or this store on this day. And further has organized a way for ANYONE to donate MERCHANDISE, TIME or MONEY to help this family however they feel lead to by hosting a yardsale in which she is bound to no one to ‘share the proceeds’. I will be there to support in anyway I can, I’m sure that CRISSMAN and the other volunteers could put you to work as well. C'mon the more help the better!

These people’s motives and commitment to BLAISE and their LORD are evident by what they are DOING. Yours are as well by what you SAY….
Instead of spewing hate across the internet from the shadows like a COWARD, Your energy could be a whole lot better spent by coming out and supporting BLAISE and his family.

It is truly an HONOR to watch GOD move. BLESSINGS WITH YOU ALL

al46398 11 months, 1 week ago

1000% in agreement with blaze_spirit_blaze! Thank you for your input! I believe the owner of Classy Paci wanted to do this fundraiser because she believed it would have a greater impact for Blaise than just setting up a roadside sale or something (although every little bit is going to help the family!). She was probably hoping to spread the word in our community so people would have the opportunity to step up. And as someone close to the owners of this consignment store, I have seen that the community has overwhelmingly stepped up! It's a sad time when someone tries to do a good deed and has their motives questioned by someone who doesn't even know them. I will be there along with some of these others tomorrow, volunteering, and I am so excited to see the turnout!

NocOwl 11 months, 1 week ago

"1000% in agreement with blaze_spirit_blaze!" Me too! Everyone who is stepping up to donate their time and/or money are truely inspiring and amazing people. I hate hearing of this terrible diagnosis but it warms my heart that so many are coming together for this family. My thoughts and prayers are with Blaise and his loved ones.

coffecreme 11 months, 1 week ago

My support is with Blaise and his family!

Bflat 11 months, 1 week ago

I hope those that consigned items will be able to find it in their hearts to help also. Sometimes people really need the money they obtain from consignment sales because they have bills to pay.

debsalomon 11 months, 1 week ago

For getreal: The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, headed by Dr. Henry Friedman and Dr. Allan Friedman, is among the world's finest, called "outstanding" by the National Cancer Institute. This is where Sen. Edward Kennedy had surgery...his life prolonged far beyond the initial prediction. They also have a pediatric unit. It appears this is where Blaise is being treated so rather than travel, perhaps people should think about supporting the family in their day-to-day needs whether that be child care, errands, food, transportation or respite for the primary caregivers. As for other comments: Wonderful that the community is coming together to aid this family ; criticisms about how much people donate is uncalled for, don't you think? Without good insurance an illness like this can run into hundreds of thousands out of pocket. God help them.

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