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Little boy faces big challenge

Contributed

This is Jason Lewis, age 4 months, before he lost his left eye to cancer.

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: July 9, 2009

Little Jason Lewis, 4 months old, of Nebo has had to face the struggle of a lifetime. The tiny boy has undergone surgery to treat cancer. Family and friends are hoping the community will respond to this youngster's needs.
Back in April, he and his mom, Becky Lewis, were involved in a wreck in Buncombe County, which left Becky with two broken legs and a broken arm. That has placed a strain on her ability to provide for her baby and two older boys, Zachery and Trey, ages 7 and 17.
It wasn't the family's first hardship. When Jason was born, his mother said, she was immediately aware he had a problem with his left eye.
"You could see right through it," she said.
But she had a hard time getting her pediatrician's attention. Fortunately, she sought a second opinion and that doctor, she explained, immediately diagnosed cancer and referred the baby to Duke University's Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Earlier this week, they made their second trip to Durham, and the baby's left eyeball was removed, along with some adjacent tissue. More will be know about Jason's condition in a week, his mom said, and they will return for more treatment and to have a glass eye made.
Paula Dix of Grandview Baptist Church Outreach said Lewis and her children are wonderful people, followers of Christ, and a welcome addition to the Grandview family.
"This family has touched my heart," she said.
She described some of the circumstances immediately following the April wreck, when three men pulled Becky and baby Jason from the burning wreckage of their car before disappearing, as miraculous.
Becky's sister is Kim Lewis of the Picture Perfect Salon on Depot Street in Marion. She and the folks from Grandview are selling tickets for a raffle and will hold a benefit yard sale to help raise funds for Jason's care and recovery. And Dix is calling on all of McDowell to assist this family and tiny child in need.
"Becky has given her life and heart to Christ," she said. "As a new Christian, she really needs our support and prayers. Baby Jason was dedicated to the Lord just prior to his first trip to Duke."
"Please, let's come together," she continued, "and show this family, and all of McDowell County, what Christ can do where two or more are gathered."
Becky spoke to The McDowell News on Wednesday after she and her baby returned home. She said it was a mother's intuition that told her Jason's eye had a problem. She said she was tired, and the baby was resting, but in some pain.
The benefit raffle tickets are on sale now. A basket stuffed with cosmetics from Lewis' salon will be awarded to the lucky winner on July 30. Tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20.
Donations for the yard sale are urgently sought. They can be dropped off, and raffle tickets purchased at Picture Perfect Salon, located behind the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
For more information, call the salon at 652-3779.