Taking life for granted is easy when you are born into a normal childhood.

But for Jack Sundberg, living a normal childhood seems like a far off dream.

The 3-year-old was diagnosed with one of the most common and most aggressive types of brain tumors in October of last year.

Jack was given a terminal diagnosis and told that he had 6-9 months to live.

St. George School on Peach St. is hosting a jazzercise benefit to help raise money to defer the medical costs and living expenses for the family.

The aerobic program, which incorporates dance moves with cardiovascular exercise and strength training, is a routine-based program set to the most current music.

"It is one of the best aerobic programs I have ever seen," said Jamie Snider, an instructor who has been teaching jazzercise classes at the Pogue Student Center for three years.

Snider said Jack often likes to attend jazzercise classes with his mom, who is also an instructor.

The benefit, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 16, will cost $20 per pledge and is open to the public.

"We are in desperate need of pledges," said Snider, an Elementary/Special education major at Edinboro University.

The jazzercise students and instructors are collecting sponsor pledges for completing the 3-hour benefit.

The family is hoping to raise at least $5,000 from the benefit.

"This is a hard time for [the family] right now, as they know even with treatment, there is no cure," said Snider, who is a friend of Jack's mother, Megan Sundberg.

Jack's condition, glioblastoma multiforme, has left him with a large tumor near his brain stem, which causes severe pressure on the brain. The more the tumor grows, the more of his brain it affects.

Because of the central location of the tumor, which extends into his hypothalamus and midbrain, it is inoperable.

Glioblastoma multiforme is most common in people age 50 and over.

It has affected Jack's speech and motor skills, he recently underwent brain surgery to place a shunt in his brain, due to the accumulation of fluid, "but it's only a band-aid fix to buy more time," said Snider.

Jack is being seen by the Pittsburgh Children's hospital and has undergone radiation, chemotherapy and physical and occupational rehabilitation.

Currently, Jack is taking a break from chemotherapy and radiation, but "without a miracle, the prognosis is grim," said Snider. The treatments are to shrink the tumor and to buy more time with the family.

Jack's condition has improved, and according to Snider, he is much like a normal 3-year-old boy.

"He sparkles, he loves to dance and enjoys taking dance lessons," said Snider. "He is darling."

The family recently took a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization which aims to give children with threatening illnesses hope.
For more information on Jack's condition, visit www.jacksbattle.com.

Learn more about this author, Erin Thompson.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

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