NILES — On Feb. 14, Shelton’s Farm Market donated 10 percent of individual customer purchase proceeds to help a Niles family in need.

More than $3,000 was raised for Colton Hubbard and his family. The money will help to cover the cost of Colton’s treatment for a rare form of tumors that has been found in his brain and spine.

The funds were garnered through customers’ use of Colton Cure coupons. The coupon allocated 10 percent of individual purchases to Colton Hubbard and his family. In addition to medical costs, the donations will also help the family to cover travel expenses and lodging that will likely be required for Colton’s treatment. 

Mike Shelton, a business partner at Shelton’s Market, said the store saw an increase in customers Feb. 14, many brandishing the coupon that was required to donate money to Colton’s family with their purchase. He also said the market received a number of private donations to support the cause. 

“I wanted to do something and I guess I am blessed because we have the means through our business to help,” Shelton said.

Colton is an 11-year-old fifth-grader who attends Brandywine Elementary. At 7 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare form of tumor called choroid plexus papilloma. The benign tumor, which was nearly the size of a baseball, was first found in his brain and was subsequently removed.

About a year and a half ago, doctors discovered a new tumor mass in Colton’s head, this time near his pituitary gland. Late last year, during an MRI at the Riley’s Children’s Hospital, results showed tumors in five to six locations that are growing throughout Colton’s spine from his neck to his tail bone. Pathology results revealed that the tumors were the same as the one found in his brain. If the tumors continue to grow and spread there is the risk of organ and nerve damage, his family said. 

Colton’s family has been searching for treatment options and is waiting for feedback from several hospitals to determine the best course of action.

Colton’s father, Andrew Hubbard, is Shelton’s nephew. Although the family has health insurance, Shelton said he knew there were going to be a lot of costs ahead, including travel expenses, medical copays, as well as the fact that Colton’s parents could have to take a lot of work off.

“I think that it is a tough thing to go through and it is not something you want to do on your own,” Shelton said. “We kind of got things rolling and we are able to publicize [the fundraiser] and I feel good about that.”

While Shelton said he was proud to see so many community members turn out to support the family, he said it did not shock him. 

“I am not that surprised to see the community step up,” Shelton said. “That is the way the greater Niles community is. When there is a need, it seems like the good folks of the Niles area, they meet those challenges together.”