98°F
weather icon Cloudy

Community comes to aid of ill child

When the Bonar family’s friends and neighbors learned that 13-year-old JC Bonar would have tests today to determine whether he needs a kidney and liver transplant, they sprang to action. In just four days, they organized a fundraiser JC’s mom, Jamie Bonar, said.

JC and his 11-year-old brother Justin have methylmalonic acidemia, a genetically transmitted disorder in which the body cannot break down certain proteins and fats.

Several medical sources say methylmalonic acidemia can cause life-threatening conditions including seizures and strokes. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, states that the condition is an inborn error of metabolism.

JC Bonar is a typical 13-year-old who enjoys sports, especially wrestling. His big concern is that he won’t be able to wrestle again if he gets the transplants, his mom said.

Jamie Bonar said she was overwhelmed by Sunday’s fundraiser bike ride to the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, organized by the family’s Boulder City friends and neighbors. She was also grateful for donations by the Pioneer Saloon’s owner.

Michele and John Kaposta, Bonar family neighbors who own Tony’s Pizza in downtown Boulder City, opened their restaurant for the fundraiser because they knew JC Bonar’s condition was worsening and his trip to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Stanford, Calif., was nearing.

Jamie Bonar said, “To look at JC, you would never know there is anything wrong with him.” But over the summer, his regular blood tests showed serious results. He would need more tests and treatment.

JC Bonar has not yet undergone kidney dialysis. But his mom said she’ll decide on that Nov. 15 after tests and consultations. Her son is on the transplant list but won’t become an active participant until Dec. 1.

Although JC Bonar is tired and facing two possible surgeries, he’s remained positive, his mother said.

“He’s a great kid. He’s positive all the time,” Jamie Bonar said. “To know him is to love him. He’s a very kind soul.”

Jamie Bonar, who works part time at Jack’s Place and two days a week for the Henderson constable’s office, is the family’s only breadwinner. Her husband, Joe Bonar, has been out of work for the past three years.

When discussing her family situation, Jamie Bonar said, “As a family, we’re just trying to stay positive. We talk about everything because my worst fear is that he (JC) becomes afraid. I don’t want him to be afraid of anything going on with the process.”

On Monday, the day after the fundraiser bike ride, Michele Kaposta said, “It all turned out awesome,” and they raised $4,000 from the event.

Jamie and Joe Bonar thanked their friends, Shannon and Elena Carroll and Michele and John Kaposta, for organizing the bike ride, obtaining donations and creating JC’s Facebook page. The page, created Nov. 1, already has 263 likes.

Donation buckets are displayed at Jack’s Place and at Tony’s Pizza. And at Garrett Junior High School, where JC Bonar is a seventh-grader, students will bring in loose change to donate toward JC’s treatment.

Jamie Bonar said she had no idea about the possible transplants’ costs, but added that she’d know more today when she and her son fly to California.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Toll Brothers gets split decision

The development of the area near Boulder Creek Golf Course known as Tract 350 (the sale of which is slated to pay for the majority of the planned replacement for the aging municipal pool) may have hit a snag last week as the planning commission voted 5-1 to deny the developers’ request to build houses closer to the street than is allowed under current law.

Council gives nod to 185 new hangars

There is at least one part of Boulder City that is set to see growth in the coming years. A lot of growth.

Boulder City ready to celebrate America

Boulder City resident James Cracolici may have put it best when he called the annual July 4 Damboree, “The crown jewel of all events held in Boulder City.”

BC can ban backyard breeders

Although there is nothing on any city agenda yet, the resolution of the issue of whether pet breeding will be allowed in Boulder City took a huge step forward last week as Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford released an official opinion on the intent and limitations of state law that had been requested by city staff last year.

Completion dates for two road projects pushed back

Mayor Joe Hardy tacitly acknowledged that Boulder City gets, perhaps, more than its fair share of funding from the Regional Transportation Commission, given the city’s size.

Businesses recognized at Chamber awards night

The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce’s annual installation and awards night featured many business owners in town and even had an appearance, albeit an A.I.-generated one, by Audrey Hepburn.

Parallel parking approved

Like so many other things in the world of Boulder City government, the issue of reconfiguring parking in the historic downtown area along Nevada Way, which generated enough heat to cause council members to delay a decision up until the last possible moment, ended with more of a whimper than a bang.

Ways to reduce summer power bills

Now that the thermometer is on the rise outdoors, the cost to cool homes and businesses on the inside is doing the same.