‘EPIC ON EVERY LEVEL’

Community rallies to raise cancer awareness

DOUGLASSVILLE » Anyone from the Douglassville community can tell you that if there’s one thing they’re never short on, it’s helping hands.

Saturday proved that to be true when thousands of people showed up at Red Corner Road for the ninth annual Red Corner Benefit.

“The first benefit I believe had about 300 people and last year was at about 2,500 people so it has really grown, ” said Michaela Oberholtzer, one of the volunteers for the Red Corner Benefit. “It’s a great day. Everyone is so supportive. The community comes together, the donations come in, everything. It’s amazing to see the outpouring of the community.”

Each year, the event is held to benefit a family dealing with the hardships of childhood cancer. This year, the Red Corner Benefit is supporting Brady Casto, a 17-year-old from Chester Springs who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Aug. 19, 2015. Casto has a chromosomal mutation in his leukemia cell called Philadelphia chromosome-like, and for this reason, he has been diagnosed with very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia that requires additional, aggressive treatment.

When Brady and his family walked into the benefit Saturday, they were overwhelmed by the amount of support they received. They were even met by two of Brady’s online gaming friends, who traveled from Michigan to support him at the benefit and meet him in person for the first time.

“This is epic on every level. Just everybody is so amazing. It really, truly is amazing,” said Stacey Casto, Brady’s mother, upon arriving. “Everybody we’ve met so far that worked on this event has been insanely warm and support-

ive and we 100 percent already feel like we’re part of this family. That’s how comfortable they’ve made us feel.”

The sense of community is exactly what keeps guests coming back in bigger numbers each year, including the families that have benefitted from the event in previous years.

“It’s very overwhelming when it’s your turn and then it’s very humbling when you finally get to help. It’s different,” said Andrea Buno, the mother of Mikey Buno, the 2015 Red Corner Benefit beneficiary. “It’s exciting when the benefit is for you and it’s a lot. This is my second year being able to help and it’s better.”

Guests were treated to live music from bands including The Whiskeyhickon Boys, Chestnut Grove, Blind Man Mike and several others. Kids could be seen enjoying games, petting zoos, face painting, pony rides and pumpkin painting. For the adults, the Bo’ Bradley Beer Garden offered a variety of beers on tap to enjoy while listening to the live music. Later in the day, Red Corner Benefit recipients participated in a lantern release and the day culminated with a bonfire and fireworks display to celebrate the fundraising efforts.

All the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Casto family to assist with the cost of Brady’s treatment and other expenses.

“We hope that Brady and his family enjoy this and spread the word,” said Buno. “It’s about spreading awareness and RCB’s mission statement is “one child at a time” until there’s no more cancer.”

To donate to the Red Corner Benefit visit www.redcornerbenefit.org .

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Brady Casto, 17, of Chester Springs, is greeted by online friends he is meeting for the first time in person as he walks into the Red Corner Benefit in Douglassville Saturday. The family traveled from Michigan to support him at the event, which raisied...

PHOTO COURTESY OF RED CORNER BENEFIT Brady Casto, 17, of Chester Springs, is the beneficiary of the Ninth Annual Red Corner Benefit, which is held every year to raise money for a child suffering from cancer. The funds go directly to the family to help with costs of treatment and other...

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Guests enjoy a variety of freshly made food and beers on tap in the beer garden Saturday as the Red Corner Benefit raised money for the Casto family.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Guests enjoy live music Saturday during the Red Corner Benefit in Douglassville. The event helped to raise money for Brady Casto, 17, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2015.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A boy takes part in friendly game of corn hole Saturday during the Ninth Annual Red Corner Benefit in Douglassville.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A child rides the mechanical bull Saturday during the Red Corner Benefit. The bull was one of several popular attractions at the event aimed at raising money for families dealing with childhood cancer.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST A boy takes a turn bouncing around on bungee cordsMEDIA Saturday during the Ninth Annual Red Corner benefit. Kids enjoyed lots of activities at the event, including face painting, pumpkin decorating and seasonal games.