Austin's Angels Helps Local 5-Year-Old With Brain Tumor

A local family is working together to help a 5-year-old Cottleville boy who suffers from a brain tumor.

Austin Burns was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma, a grade three tumor, just after his first birthday. He is now under hospice care and attends SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center for occupational and speech therapy.

"There's only one person who can stop this, and that's God himself," Austin's uncle, Randy Dean, said as he stood outside of on Highway K Thursday afternoon. 

Dean said the family started Austin's Angels three months ago in hopes the donations will help him and other families in the same type of situation. The group's tent outside of offers Austin's Angels T-Shirts and baseball hats ranging from $10-$20. Some shoppers stopped to hand Dean a few dollars and handfuls of change on Thursday.

Dean said Austin, who will turn six in August, has had five surgeries, but most days he remains strong. 

"My nephew, he's a fighter. He doesn't want to give up, but there's some days he does," Dean said.

Austin's Angels will be selling T-shirts and stickers in front of O'Fallon's on Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you'd like to contact the family, you can reach them at austinsangels2006@yahoo.com.