COTTONWOOD:
A 13-year-old Cottonwood boy is facing a fight no child should ever endure — but thanks to thousands of strangers, he’s not facing it alone.
Karson Pender is a typical young teen who loves football and is known for his kindness and wisdom beyond his years. But in April, his world changed when he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor impacting his cognitive abilities.
Since then, Karson has bravely completed 21 of his 42 chemotherapy treatments, with his family at his side every step of the way.
Support for Karson has now stretched far beyond his hometown. More than a thousand letters have arrived from across the country and around the world, each filled with love, encouragement, and hope.
The outpouring began through Cards for a Cure, a yearly holiday campaign dedicated to lifting the spirits of children battling cancer. Karson’s mother, Brittany Granger, says the letters have become a source of strength for her son on the hardest days.
“When you see hundreds and hundreds of strangers — people who don’t know you and you don’t know them — take time out of their day to send a card, that’s pretty special,” Granger said. “I think he thinks it’s a really neat deal.”
Each handwritten message brightens Karson’s day, giving him bursts of joy and energy to continue fighting.
His family says they look forward to the day when they can be the ones sending cards, spreading hope to other children going through the same battle. Their goal is to help deliver more than 3,500 cards next year.
Those wishing to support Karson and follow his journey can find more information on the family’s Facebook group and their GoFundMe page.
