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THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024
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‘We Had a Bond’
By Rubin E. Grant
f ever a kid could have been called a chip off the block, it was Braxton Weidman. At least that’s the impression Chris Weidman gives when he describes his late son. Braxton was the middle child of Chris and Brandie Weidman. He had an older brother, Cason, called Case, and a younger sister, Lyla. “He was more like me with his personality,” Chris Weidman said. “He looked more like me and my family. The other two look more like their mother and their mother’s family. “We had a bond. We liked cars and we liked baseball. He was the most talented athlete of our children. I spent lots of time with him.” That bond was short-lived. Nine-year-old Braxton died Feb. 1, 2022, following a 17-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer called gliomatosis cerebri. The closeness of the father and son was displayed throughout Braxton’s battle. “Even during his entire therapy we worked on a CJ5 Jeep ‘cause he wanted to ride in a Jeep to radiation, so we made it happen,” Weidman said. “I never left his side, but I wish I had held him more.”
Death of His Son Turns Tee It Up For Life Honoree into Pediatric Cancer Advocate
Since Braxton’s death, Weidman has become a pediatric brain cancer consultant and philanthropist, traveling around the country to raise awareness about glioblastoma and money for pediatric brain cancer research. As part of his campaign, he has been featured on ESPN’s College GameDay. Weidman, a senior oncology sales director for siParadigm Diagnostic Informatics, will be the honoree, along with his family, for the annual Tee It Up Fore Life American Cancer Society Golf Tournament on June 17 from noon to 6 p.m. at Old Overton Club. A portion of the proceeds will go to pediatric cancer research. The goal for the tournament this year is to raise $200,000 for cancer research. The tournament has raised more than $1.6 million since it began in 2009. Past honorees include Pat Sullivan, Bruce Pearl and Nate Oats.
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Pediatric Cancer Advocate
‘My family is honored immensely to be recognized for something that is the life mission we put ourselves on since our son got sick and eventually died.’ Above, Chris Weidman with son Braxton.
“My family is honored immensely to be recognized for something that is the life mission we put ourselves on since our son got sick and eventually died,” Weidman said. “Raising awareness about financing and treatment options is something we have poured our hearts and minds into. I am thankful for the American Cancer Society for giving us a platform to continue to do that.” Weidman has been working with four pediatric-centric foundations or charities, expanding resources and awareness for childhood cancers, specifically pediatric brain cancers. His philanthropic work includes consulting with newly diagnosed families whose have brain ‘I never left children tumors, helping them his side, but navigate their diagnosis therapies as well as I wish I had and providing financial and held him clinical trial guidance. “So far to date we more.’ have raised over one-half million dollars for PBC research and helped navigate multiple families through the complex and multifaceted world of treating a child with a brain tumor,” Weidman said. Weidman has called for the federal government to increase its funding. “The federal government allocates around four percent of its annual cancer research budget to childhood cancer, which is less than $3 per child,” he said. “According to PNOC (Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium), pediatric brain cancer only receives around one percent of that four percent of federal research funding.” In a recent LinkedIn post, Weidman shared some statistical information about pediatric cancer. His sources indicate that every day in America a child under 19 years old is diagnosed with a life-altering brain cancer or tumor that will have a 95% chance of killing them. In total, it’s estimated there will be 5,700 new pediatric brain cancer diagnosis in America in 2024, according to his research. He said brain tumors are the largest cause of cancer-related deaths in children 0-14 years of age. Gliomas, which is the kind of tumor Braxton See BRAXTON, page 10
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Petal Parties
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The Trio of Friends Behind Garden Party Designs Creates Florals – and Has Fun Doing It SEE STORY, PAGE 18