Benefit dinner to help 14-year-old Struthers boy battling cancer - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

STRUTHERS, Ohio- A Struther's family is learning the benefit of living in a close neighborhood after their 14-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer.

Fourteen-year-old Ty Cook was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor earlier this fall. After undergoing surgery, the golf ball-sized tumor was removed, but now friends and neighbors are asking for the community's help as the family balances work, raising two other children, and most importantly, Ty's recovery.

"I wish every kid could feel like this, like this love and emotion because it's the greatest I've ever felt even on my worst days," said Ty Cook as he watched friends and neighbors wrap gift baskets that will be auctioned off this Saturday as a benefit to his family.

Ty is proud to say he's already a double-black belt in karate, but he and his family both know he's just met his biggest opponent yet.

"He goes everyday. He doesn't complain. He never says why me?" said Ty's mother Angela Cook.

After first being diagnosed with cancer, doctors we're able to safely remove the golf-ball sized tumor. But now, in order to kill any free floating cells, his parents say Ty will undergo 55 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.

Friends and neighbors of the Cooks say the family that has already endured so much is now asking for a little help.

"Shawn [Ty's father] had back problems and he was told he was never going to walk again. Ang got diagnosed with MS, Jake [Ty's Brother] was adopted. They've helped so much and they've gone through so much so we're all here for them," said friend and neighbor Eve Trimacco.

Something that doesn't go unnoticed by Ty. "I couldn't ask for more. I mean all these people together for me. It's like I cant even describe the feeling it's so great," Ty said.

Saturday's spaghetti dinner benefit will take place at St. Nicholas Great Hall in Struthers. The event begins at 6 p.m and continues through 10 p.m. Tickets are 410 for adults and $7 for children.