Old Town business supports 15-year-old’s battle against cancer

OLD TOWN, Fla. (WCJB) - Editor’s Note: Dixie County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Edward Downing and Stephanie Skieris, the parents of the 15-year-old, alleging they faked his cancer diagnosis to collect donations.

UPDATE: Dixie County couple accused of faking son’s cancer diagnosis to collect fundraiser money

Original Story: A family in Dixie County is facing an unimaginable challenge, but neighbors and community members are coming together to support them. Papa Luigi’s in Old Town is raising money to help the Downing family, whose son has been diagnosed with cancer.

Currently, a 15-year-old boy is battling cancer that affects multiple organs, including his chest, kidney, liver, and small intestine.

“Right now, we found out that he has cancer, and I don’t really know how to take this. As a father, all I can do is love him day by day, just hoping he gets better,” said Ed Downing, the boy’s father.

The boy explained how it all started, saying, “I noticed a small bump on my chest but I was acting pretty normal. I saw it pop up a little bit, told my mom about it, and then we went to the hospital”.

The boy’s parents, Ed and Stephanie, are shocked by the diagnosis. Since that moment, they have been facing emotional and financial challenges, but their community is stepping up to help.

With medical bills piling up and no insurance to cover the costs, Papa Luigi’s in Old Town decided to raise funds to assist the Downing family.

“It helps tremendously to pay for his doctor visits, so it’s not so hard on us and everything else,” said Stephanie Downing, the boy’s mother.

While the Downings say this fight has tested them in ways they never imagined, Stephanie says that it’s the little things that make a difference.

“The littlest things in life matter. When you get a shocking diagnosis, your world is flipped upside down, but you have to learn how to overcome it and take it day by day,” she added.

Papa Luigi’s is donating $3 for every purchase made until Wednesday.

“Everybody knows that in times like this, we could use help. It’s about finding it in your heart to help someone else. If it happened to your family, you would want someone to help you, so we have to stick together,” said Dylan Walker, an employee at Papa Luigi’s.

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