DOON, Iowa (KTIV) -
A young Siouxland woman who is battling a disease that will cut her life short is finding some big support from her little brother. His name is Landon, but around Doon, Iowa he's known as "The Button Boy."
Landon Hansen likes the things that any 6-year old boy likes: Pokemon, playing' ball, watching' TV. But he's also a pretty good businessman. Landon makes bracelets. Then he sells them. He also sells key chains and buttons that are made by a family friend. His mission: to raise money for research into Juvenile Huntington's Disease. His inspiration: his big sister, Kate. Landon wants doctors to find a cure for his sister and for other kids with the disease.
Two years ago, at age eighteen, Kate was diagnosed with Juvenile Huntington's, a genetic disease for which there is no cure. It is usually fatal within ten years of diagnosis. It claimed the life of Kate's biological father at age 33.
Landon and Kate's mother, Tara Hansen, says her children have a special bond. "When I look at it, it just, it warms my heart because they are so close and that he can, at six years old, put other people before himself," she said.
Tara Hansen says she's not surprised at her young son's display of love and generosity well beyond his years. The moment he found out about Kate's illness, Landon sprang into action. "He found out that cans were worth 5-cents, so then he was walking around town with his little red wagon collecting cans," Hansen said.
For her part, Kate says she and Landon have always been pretty close. She said, "It doesn't really surprise me that he cares. And he does care a lot."
The disease has already started taking its toll on Kate. She had dreams of going to college, but had to move back home. She can no longer drive a car and will be in a wheelchair soon. Kate values every moment with her little brother. "I want to do all the stuff I can with him while I can," she said.
Kate's getting support from beyond her home as well. When the community put on a waffle breakfast and silent auction for her last month, hundreds of folks from across the county showed up.
But Kate's biggest supporter is her little brother. The one who goes to bat for her by making bracelets; doing what he can to raise money for research--and raise awareness of a disease that a six-year old shouldn't have to know about.
Tara Hansen said, "You know, he looked at me and he said, 'I'm not ready for Kate to go to Heaven.' And I said, 'None of us are.' And he said, 'Well, then I just have to keep fighting mom.' And I said, 'Then we all will.'"
So Landon gets back to work, creating another bracelet. For Kate.
If you'd like to purchase one of Landon's creations and help raise money for Juvenile Huntington's research, send an email to tanyon_24@yahoo.com
Bracelets sell for $4, key chains are $2.50, large buttons are $2 and small buttons go for $1.
