Fundraisers Abound for Teen Battling Cancer

For the first time in three years, an MRI of Glenn Lightner’s brain showed no tumors on his brain, just days after he underwent a combination of laser surgery and chemotherapy treatments.

But the uncertainty of the 13-year-old’s progress in a battle he’s been fighting since 2007 will continue for the foreseeable future, as the family “lives MRI to MRI,” according to Glenn’s father Larry Lightner.

The teen is scheduled for a follow-up test on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Regardless of the results, the family is continuing its treatment overseas in Germany and Belgium as scheduled. Their next trip is at the end of October.

To follow Glenn Lightner’s journey from the past seven months, go here.

Continuing with the alternative treatments, as instructed by Dr. Shabbar Danish of Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center who performed the laser procedure on Lightner, means more incurred expenses, however.

But the Long Valley community, which has rallied behind the family and supported them through this journey, is kicking up its fundraising efforts once again, with a host of events in the coming weeks.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, The Festival of Hope, route: {:controller=>"events", :action=>"show", :id=>"the-festival-of-hope"} --> will take place at from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.  will be joining in the efforts as well when Police Benevolence Association hosts its “Run Like Lightning” event on Saturday, October 6 at 9 a.m. at the