Community to aid boy with brain tumor

ATTICA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A community is coming together in Wyoming County for a young boy who's in the fight of his life.

Noah Ludwig was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. His attitude, though, is far beyond his years. His will to move on is inspiring.

"I was getting shooting pains in the side of my head to the point that I was crying," Noah explained.

Noah was taken to the doctor's office, where they ran some tests.

"I got a CAT scan done. They said they saw something there that they didn't like. So the next morning I had an MRI and they figured out I had a brain tumor," Noah said.

At 9-years-old, Noah needed surgery to remove the tumor, lodged in his brain. But Noah was hopeful.

"Well, I didn't think it was going to be me, that I would have something like this. But I knew I could get through it with the people I have and my family," he said.

Noah faced days, weeks, even months in the hospital, away from his friends. His mother Kristi was frightened. She feared the worst for his future.

"I don't know what I'd do without him," Kristi said. She added this is not something a family is ever prepared for.

Noah told News 4, doctors operated on his brain, and used fat from his belly button to help patch him up. After hours of surgery, Noah had a scar from ear-to-ear. But he pulled through. The tumor was gone and said to be benign.

His mom said she with him every step of the way.

"I'm very lucky because I've seen other kids in here that have no parents up here with them, or no adults with them," Noah said.

He now faces a long road ahead, with expensive testing and procedures. With his mom out of work for weeks, she says it'll be tough.

"As a mom you just want to do the best you can to make him better. It's one day at a time pretty much," Kristi said.

For the time being, they're together as a family, preparing for the journey to come.  Noah is likely to be released from the hospital in the coming days.

The community is holding a benefit in Noah's honor on Saturday, March 3rd at 5 p.m. at the QWL building in Attica.

You can also send your thoughts to Noah on Facebook, by clicking here.