Greene County friends helping ill Seymour child

One-year-old Bayon Brown, of Seymour, has a fast-growing brain tumor and is currently undergoing chemotherapy at Riley Hospital.

Her parents, Shawn Brown and Amy Bechelli, learned of their daughter's serious medical condition in February and since then their lives have dramatically changed.

Family friend and Greene County employee Leslie Compton explained, "Bayon is in Riley Hospital and she just went through surgery to have the brain tumor removed. They did surgery and removed almost all of it ... but they had to pull out."

Now, she will undergo five months of chemotherapy.

"She probably won't be released until August and that's if she can handle all the chemo," Compton added.

Compton resides in Bloomington but spends her work days in Greene County as an employee of Crane.

Her co-worker, Lori King, of Bloomfield, has organized a local fundraiser benefiting Bayon.

"It was a big relief (to have the help) because I know how financially stressed the family is," Compton said.

The Harvest Community Church in Bloomfield will host the taco-in-a-bag fundraiser from 3-7 p.m. on May 17. Freewill donations will be accepted.

But Bayon has a long road ahead of her.

She's expected to be at Riley until August undergoing five sessions of chemo and physical therapy.

"Right now they do have hope for her ... she has went through one chemo round. They have to see if she can hold it," the family friend added.

Bayon's initial surgery left her with the inability to swallow.

"Right now they're teaching her how to do it again," she said.

Now, Bayon's parents take turns staying by her side at Riley Hospital.

"Someone always has to be with her because she can't swallow," she explained.

"Her dad works during the day and her mom works two or three nights a week and switch," Compton added.