A 13-year-old Stone County teen has been fighting neuroblastoma for more than two years at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Neuroblastome is the cancer of the nervous system.

Phyllis Maggard, Hayden Maggard's mother, said in her son's case, the cancer is spreading. "The cancer is now in other parts that it was not," explained Phyllis Maggard. "In the bones of his legs, hips, and spine, and in his back, and in his bone marrow, and in an area to the left side of his chest."

Hayden's mother said St. Jude's is the only place that can possibly stop Hayden's cancer. She says they first underwent a 18 month research protocol after the initial diagnoses and are now trying out different treatments, seeing what works and what doesn't. A typical day for Hayden can include medicine injections, different lab tests, and meetings with nutritionists and clinic doctors.

Phyllis told KY3 Reporter Lexi Spivak that if everything goes as planned, a new round of chemotherapy will start next week. That process can only begin if his platelet count is up.

Despite the hardships, the entire Maggard family stays strong and positive every single day. Hayden's mom said their support from the Ozarks makes staying positive a whole lot easier. "I can tell you we have one of the best communities," she began. "Our church, our employers, just everyone in the community and supported us through all of this."

While there have already been several fundraisers for Hayden and his family throughout this time, there are two others coming up Saturday, September 29.

The first event is called Paddle for your Pal. It's a paddling event for paddleboarders and/or kayakers across the Ozarks to try and travel as far as they can, raising money for the charity of their choice. Event organizer and professional paddleboarder, Jodelle Fitzwater, said she's donating all her money to the Hayden Strong cause, even though she's never met him. She said it's the least she can do. "It's really touching to me that this community has banded together and has done so much for this little guy, but at the time there is more to be done," said Fitzwater. "This family is really in need."

Paddle for your Pal participants will start at Indian Point Marina and Boat Dock in Branson, Missouri Saturday morning at 8:00. Paddlers will go as far as they can or until 3:00 that afternoon. However many miles they travel, multiplied by the money pledged per mile, is how much money will be raised for their specific charity. It's $15 for participants to join.

There is also a spaghetti dinner and live auction Saturday night at Reeds Spring Intermediate School from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The school is located at 175 Elementary Road in Reeds Spring.

You can also keep up with Hayden and his family on the "Hayden's Journey" Facebook Page.