As those who came to the Butler Moose Lodge post 64 on Saturday to enjoy the pasta fundraiser to help he and his family continue treatment for his pancreatic cancer, Aiden Bartley, 11, just seemed like another preteen playing games on his phone.

But Aiden knows a lot of people went out of their way and gave up half of their weekend to put on the dinner.

“I think it’s really cool,” Aiden said. “It says that they care a lot about me.”

Another comment also identifies Aiden as a growing boy.

“The food is really good,” he said of the pasta dinners.

Aiden was released from care at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh in August for his stage 4 pancreatic cancer, as doctors there said there was nothing more they could do for him.

Aiden is now undergoing chemotherapy at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, which is considerably more expensive for his parents.

Mike Bartley said he and his wife, Megan, take their son to Cleveland every other week for chemotherapy, and more frequently if doctors order blood work or other tests.

The Bartleys said a recent scan showed positive results, as the pancreatic tumor has not grown, the spots on Aiden’s liver have not spread, and the cancer in general has not metastasized to any other parts of his body.

Mike Bartley said “enhancers,” or shadows around Aiden’s liver, have even disappeared.

“A lot has changed in two months,” Mike said.

Megan said a doctor in California has patented a chemotherapy drug and submitted an application to the Federal Drug Administration to use it as a trial just for Aiden.

“So we are waiting for the FDA to approve that, and we will be going out to California,” she said.

The Bartleys said the Butler County residents who have attended a fundraiser or donated to the Aiden’s Journey fund at NexTier Bank will never understand how vital their support is as the young family does its best to get Aiden into remission.

“It’s a great community,” Mike said.

The delicious spaghetti or Alfredo dinners at the Moose were augmented by dozens of raffle baskets, a QR code at each table where purple “Aiden’s Journey” T-shirts could be purchased, a 50/50 raffle, and a sticky-note gambling game.

All proceeds from the dinner will benefit the family’s expenses during Aiden’s treatment, as well as medical bills.

Jason and Christine Doerr, of Butler, have known the Bartleys for several years, and attended the pasta dinner at Highfield Hall and the Bar Bingo fundraiser at the Beer Garden to support Aiden.

“He needs the money to travel to Cleveland,” Jason said.

Christine said the Bartleys themselves are givers.

“We’ve known the Bartleys forever and they would help anybody with anything, so we love to support Aiden,” she said.

Rebecca Colosimo, a ninth-grader at Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School, enjoyed some salad and a plate of Alfredo on Saturday.

“I’ve known Aiden his whole life. He’s my brother-in-law and sister’s nephew, and I’m here to support him,” she said.

Rebecca is thrilled Aiden is feeling good and received good news on his recent scan.

“I love seeing positive updates about him, and I hope we keep getting positive news,” she said.

Rebecca has tried to put herself in Aiden’s place, and thinks he must be frightened, so she was glad to see people turning out for the dinner.

“The donations they give definitely help the family,” she said.

Pat Potter, of Franklin Township, is a nurse who also knows Aiden’s family, plus a cancer survivor herself.

“I can’t imagine having a child that has that diagnosis,” Potter said.

Because she runs an animal rescue and sees the generosity of the Butler area community every day, she is not surprised that the Bartleys have received support from friends and strangers alike.

“I think the people of Butler County are very supportive of people in need,” Potter said. “They are very generous.”

She has a positive feeling about Aiden and his fight to be cured of his cancer.

“I think he will do very well,” Potter said, “and I wish him the very best.”

Those who would like to support Aiden’s family by buying a T-shirt can visit Mark-IM, a screen printing business at 115 N. Main St in Butler.

Monetary donations can be dropped at any NexTier branch or checks can be sent to NexTier branches made out to “Aiden’s Journey.”