An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

171st members make worthwhile donation

  • Published
  • By Capt. Karen Knoerdel
  • 171 ARW/MXG
     Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Andrulonis of the 171st Maintenance Group's Aerospace Ground Equipment shop accepts a check from First Sgt. Shawn Boyle and Chief Master Sgt. Terry malley representing the nearly $2000 collected through donations for the medical care of Jeff's cousin, two-year-old Jaden Duttine, at the Senior Enlisted Recognition Ceremony on Sunday morning, November 8, 2009.
      Jaden was diagnosed on August 7th, at only 27months of age, with metastatic neuroblastoma after complaining of back pain.  It was then that it was discovered that he had a tumor pressing on his spine.  Metastatic neuroblastoma is a cancer of the nerves that developed in Jaden's adrenal glad, bone marrow, skull, lumbar and thoracic vertebrae.  At only two years old, he has undergone surgery to remove then tumor, five of six scheduled rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant procedure.  He and his family were scheduled to be on base to accept the check in person, but Jaden is back in the hospital due to complications from the chemo.
     In addition to Jaden being the cousin of Jeff, he is the grandson of Bill Andrulonis, who many of you may remember as he retired just a few years ago after 31 years of service with eh 171st.  Bill also worked in the Maintenance Group, he ran the training office.  Those of you who know Bill may recall that his daughter struggled with cancer just a few years ago, newar the end of Bill's career here.  This daughter, Julie, is Jaden's mother.
    When asked to share some details about Jaden, Bill's wife, Debbie, responded quickly and explained how resilient and shinging Jaden is.  He, like his grandpap (Bill), loves to golf and is quite good at it.  But then with a caddy like his "pappy," who wouldn't be successful on the links?  It is reported that Jaden cannot go to the hospital without his golf club.  In addition to golf, Jaden is a fan of baseball, basketball, bowling and fishing.  He is, it sounds, an all-American boy!
     While Jaden's favorite color is blue, his older brother, Joey (4), prefers red.  Keeping in line with the all-American theme it seems.  The two are said to be the best of friends.
    Debbie goes on to say that they are happy to have Bill at home to help with the boys as well as Julie.  They had wanted to come out to the base for the presentation in order to meet "Bill's other family who has been so great to us."  Let's hope that opportunity presents itself soon.