Eli Jackson was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor when he was 6 months old. He died at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham in October 2015 just five days before his third birthday.

Shortly after, the idea of raising money for pediatric brain cancer research was presented, and the Eli Jackson Foundation was established with the donation of a red wagon.

“Our purpose was to take our emotional feelings and put it toward something good,” said Tiffany Studdard, Jackson’s aunt.

According to Studdard, the foundation organizer, wagons are a preferred method for kids to get around the hospital instead of wheelchairs, because they provide a comfortable experience.

“Eli slept in a wagon for a certain time while in the hospital,” Studdard said.

Since then, 14 red wagons have been donated to the hospital, 11 of which were donated on Christmas Eve.

The foundation looks to continue its fundraising efforts by hosting “Casting for a Cure” on June 4. The event is a fishing tournament at Beeswax Creek Park on Lay Lake in Columbiana.

The tournament will begin at safe light with weigh-in scheduled for 3 p.m.

“We’ve had some amazing support, with several businesses in Jemison, Thorsby and Calera offering up their help,” Studdard said.

The top four places will receive a prize. First place will receive $1,000 followed by $500 for second place, $250 for third and $100 for fourth.

According to Studdard, doctors initially said they could not operate on Eli Jackson’s tumor because of its placement. However, in August 2015 the likelihood of success increased and Dr. Jeffrey Blount, a neurosurgeon at Children’s of Alabama, was able to remove close to 97 percent of the tumor.

Even though the tumor was removed, the lasting effects still remained and the Jackson family continued routine hospital visits and trips to Birmingham from their home on County Road 29 in Jemison.

Though the foundation is still in the early stages, the dedication exists and the need is real.

“We want to keep Eli’s memory alive by giving back to Children’s of Alabama and the doctors who were able to give us three precious years with Eli,” Studdard said. “Our hope is that one day families will be able to have many years with their babies.”

Anybody interested in registering, volunteering or sponsoring with the tournament should visit www.elijacksonfoundation.com.