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BROOKHAVEN — Jerry Freeman hugged people and said “thank you for your support,” as they bought pulled pork sandwiches for a fundraiser Friday. Ledger Smith, Freeman’s grandson, is three years old, and is engaged in the fight of a lifetime. 

Smith was recently diagnosed with leukemia and has a rare chromosome that resists chemotherapy. The son of Reid and Caitlin Smith, he is being treated at Batson Children’s Hospital.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale goes directly to the family to help with expenses. The Cookie Trap sold chocolate chip cookies. Drinks and freeze-dried candy were available for purchase. Ledger’s cousin, Zach Jenkins fired up the Red Star Grill and made pulled pork lunch plates for $10 each. 

Mississippi Blood Services was also on location for life-saving donations. 

Jenkins and another cousin, Rose Allen, said Ledger is a typical 3-year-old in every sense other than his illness. 

“His chest port is his magic portal and his IV stand is his magic wand,” Allen said. “He doesn’t realize this is not just something normal for kids.”

He knows he needs to eat healthy foods, so he often begins a request for a snack with, “Is it healthy …” He loves broccoli, miso soup, and — of course — chocolate. Who says it can’t be healthy?

Ledger needs prayers and will be in treatments for the next few years, Allen said, so any help people can give is appreciated.

“I hope we get a lot of people there,” she said Monday. 

People came out in droves. Nearly 1,200 sandwiches were made and sold for #Love4Ledger.

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