COMMUNITY RALLYING AROUND TEEN
Austin eighth-grader battling rare bone disease

The community is rallying around Paige McLaughlin, an Austin High School honor student active in sports who is battling a rare disease.

Paige McLaughlin is an active eighth-grader with a zest for life and a seemingly limitless future.

When she's not playing volleyball, softball or soccer, she can be found practicing on the flute or hitting the books as an honor student at Austin Area School.

Last year, the 14-year-old developed severe headaches. She was diagnosed in December with a rare blood disease abbreviated as LCH.

It's caused by an excess of white blood cells called histiocytes that can attack the body with varying degrees of intensity. LCH can involve only limited body parts, or it can be life-threatening.

LCH sometimes goes into remission without treatment. Like cancer, it's often treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

Paige has been affected with bone LCH. She has had sections of bone removed from the frontal and temporal areas of her skull, with a plate placed in the temporal area. She has impressed family and friends with her positive outlook.

Perhaps that strong "can-do" spirit has played a part in the most recent development.

Re-growth of the LCH in the previous affected area was measured shortly after surgery in December. After applying chemotherapy, doctors have found that the tumor/growth in the affected area is beginning to shrink.

Side effects, such as shortterm memory loss, have also been lessened.

With strong spirit, Paige has endured the nausea, fatigue, hair loss and severe pain in her arms and legs.

She is the daughter of Mike and Colleen Zenns and the granddaughter of Carol and the late Ruby McLaughlin. She is supported by her sister, Danielle Bennett, and brother-in-law Chris, family and friends.

Colleen Zenns says the Austin area community has been supportive since the family began regular trips to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to obtain medical treatment.

"We're so thankful for all of the support and prayers," she said. "It's very difficult to see your daughter go through such pain. However, this latest news gives us hope that Paige is on the road to recovery, and will be back doing what she loves the most, playing sports."

A lasagna dinner fundraiser for the family will be held Wednesday night at the Austin Firehall from 4-7. It's sponsored by United Methodist Church Charge of Austin, Costello, Keating Summit, along with the St. Augustine Catholic Church, Austin Free Methodist Church, Austin Volunteer Fire Company and Boy Scouts.

Cost is $7.00 for ages 12 and up, $3.50 for ages 5-11 and $2.00 for under 4. Tickets are available by calling 647-8441 or 647-8947.

Austin Area School Class of 2012 will conduct a 50/50 raffle to support Paige during the dinner and the fire company will be holding an auction. Alvin VanHorn of Austin has donated a handcrafted wooden table which will also be raffled off, with proceeds going to the family.