As Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School senior Mason Martin recovers from injuries sustained during a football game, his 18th birthday has crept up.

And, as the Eagle noted in Thursday’s edition, his father, Denny Martin, said the family is accepting birthday cards to celebrate the occasion.

Martin said the family has been “so focused on (rehabilitation)” that Mason turning 18 hasn’t “hit yet.”

The road that brought us all here started on a fateful night as the school year began.

The Sept. 1 football game between the Karns City Area High School Gremlins and the Redbank Valley Bulldogs was cut short after the Karns City quarterback collapsed.

Mason was taken from the field at Karns City high school’s Diehl Stadium by ambulance and then transported by helicopter to a hospital.

Almost immediately, the team rallied in prayer. And the community followed.

Within days, one of two GoFundMe accounts had raised more than $50,000 through 900 donations in support of the Martin family. Mason’s mother, Stacy, who was battling breast cancer, was the direct beneficiary.

Also that same week, Redbank Valley football coach Blane Gold had decals printed for teams’ helmets that read M2M featuring the symbol for breast cancer awareness. It was designed to pay respect to Mason.

Students across Butler County school districts wore Karns City purple to school, football players wore purple decals, and businesses put up “Mason Strong” signs in their windows.

“(Mason’s accident) serves as a moment of pause and a reminder to us all of just how fragile life can be. It gives us perspective,” said Mark Gross, Mars Area School District superintendent. “We all have a common regard for humanity that extends far beyond our district's boundaries.”

Thousands of people showed up for a benefit lunch. A car show helped to raise money. Only this week, Mason’s elementary school held a Mason Strong Shoot-A-Thon fundraiser.

In October, Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School posted a lip-dub tribute for Mason, hoping to “spread the word all around the world.” It has since garnered tens of thousands of views.

Two days after the video was posted, Stacy Martin died, and a family’s tough battle only got tougher.

But in the time since, Mason has gotten stronger. These days, he’s able to walk with help and eat soft foods.

Updates on his condition are greeted with massive support on social media.

Trying to condense the five months of this saga into a short piece such as this could never do it justice. The astounding and abounding outpouring of support has been an incredible testament to the idea of personal, family and community spirit.

A beautiful, incredible storm of support surrounds Mason and his family. We hope there’s calm in that storm.

Happy birthday and best wishes to you, Mason.

— RJ