Florida Family of Boy with Weakened Immune System Receives New Flooring from Horizon Forest Products

RALEIGH, NC, January 26, 2013 (Press-News.org) Horizon Forest Products has announced its recent donation of over 500 square feet of PanTim engineered flooring to a family living in Palm Bay, Florida. The company was touched by the family's story after reading about their circumstances and need for an alternative flooring solution from a blog posting.

Princeton Bryan is the three-year son of Val and Jayme Bryan. Princeton has high-risk Stage IV Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is cancer that starts in young nerve cells called neuroblasts. In healthy children, these cells develop normally and become the nerves that control heartbeat, blood pressure, and the body's reaction to stress. In neuroblastoma however, the neuroblasts never mature and instead, the cells divide and grow into a tumor. The tumor can begin in any part of the body, but most often forms in the nerves of the adrenal glands. As the disease progresses, the tumor usually spreads to the lymph nodes, bones, bone marrow, liver, or skin. For most children, the neuroblastoma has spread to at least one of these areas by the time doctors are able to diagnose the disease.

Neuroblastoma is one of the less common types of cancer in children, but is the most common solid tumor in children younger than one year of age. Most children with this disease get it before age five and in some children, the disease starts before birth. No matter what the child's age, in most cases, parents and doctors are not aware of the disease until the tumor grows large enough to be felt.

Princeton was two when he received his diagnosis on December 22, 2011. A large mass was found on the right side of his skull, adrenal gland, sternum, and right hip, as well as various locations in his bone marrow. He quickly began chemotherapy two days later on Christmas Eve with treatments consisting of six cycles of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, a bone marrow transplant, surgery, and radiation. Princeton's bone marrow transplant severely comprised his immune system. As mom Jayme says, "His immune system was completely wiped out." Because of his highly sensitive state, the Bryan's needed to replace all of the carpet in their home. Any trace of dust, dirt, bacteria, pesticides or other toxins brought in by shoes or feet could be life threatening to Princeton. The family needed help and decided to document their story on a blog.

Holly Williams, Marketing Coordinator with Horizon Forest Products, happened upon the Bryan's story and felt compelled to help. Williams is active in her church and is strong in her Christian faith.

"After reading about Princeton and everything that this family had been through, I thought that their flooring problem should be the least of their worries," says Williams. "I immediately reached out to Jayme and told her that Horizon Forest Products wanted to help. I instantly knew that what I did was the right thing when I heard the relief and gratitude in her voice. It was amazing!"

Horizon Forest Products arranged delivery of the flooring and a family friend of the Bryan's handled installation. With the new flooring, the Bryan family can concentrate on Princeton's treatment and recovery. Princeton will be in treatment until March 2013. Jayme Bryan says it will be at least a year or longer before his immune system reaches a somewhat normal level, although it will never fully recover.

"Although Princeton's immune system will always be vulnerable to the environment around him, we can at least rest a little easier knowing that our home has been made about as safe as possible for him," says Bryan. "The gift from Holly and Horizon Forest Products means more then they will ever know. They have been such a blessing to us. We can't possibly begin to thank them enough."

To follow Princeton's process or to make a donation to the family, visit http://princetonbryan.com.

About Horizon Forest Products
Horizon Forest Products offers customers over 75 years of industry experience and one of the most comprehensive inventories of pre-finished and unfinished hardwood flooring, floor equipment, abrasives, finishes, fasteners, and accessories in the mid-Atlantic Region. For more information, visit http://www.horizonforest.com.

Media Contact:
Holly Williams, Marketing Coordinator
Horizon Forest Products
haw@horizonforest.com
(919) 424-8265