Friends and family members of 14-year-old Jordan Jackson are holding a yard and bake sale in the parking lot of the South Effingham Middle School on Sept. 27 in an effort to raise money to help offset medical expenses not covered by insurance.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to run until 2 p.m. Pauline Morgan, with the assistance of several volunteers, such as Beverly Donaldson of SEMS, recruited volunteers to help with the sale.

In addition, Morgan has worked to get donations from various companies in the community to also help out. So far, she has received commitments from Krispy Kreme, Cinnabon, The Cake Lady and Savannah Rum Runners Bakery, just to name a few.

Other in-kind contributions include the school’s willingness to donate tables for the event. The number of items donated for the sale has been amazing, said Morgan, Jordan’s great aunt.

“We’ve got a tractor trailer to help us load everything and get it to the school,” she said.

Jeremy Sessions will be on hand to shave heads in Jackson’s honor for a $5 donation fee. Although the sale is suppose to end at 2 p.m., she pointed out that if needed they will go past that time.

Doctors diagnosed Jackson in July with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. He’s currently home from hospital; however, he’s undergoing arsenic trioxide treatments. He goes for three hours a day, five days a week.

“He’s got to have five weeks of treatment, then a two-week break and then another five weeks,” said Morgan.

FDA approved the use of arsenic trioxide (or Trisenox) in 2000 as an orphan drug intended for the treatment of rare diseases and conditions.

Arsenic trioxide appears to cause changes in cancer cells that make them die, according to the American Cancer Society.

Individuals who would like to stay abreast of Jackson’s treatment, can do so by visiting his Caring Bridge Web site (www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordanjackson).