Stonington - It happened over a span of just 10 days in December.
First, Theresa Pont, a kindergarten student at Deans Mill School, told her mother Kim she had a headache.
But it quickly went away, and Kim didn't think much of it. Then a few days later, Theresa felt nauseous. Kim thought she was coming down with something but didn't worry later in the day when Theresa felt better and ate dinner.
A few days later, though, Theresa's vision became blurry. A pediatrician said she might need glasses. That made sense to Kim because several family members already wear them.
But when she noticed Theresa's eye was drifting, she brought her back to the doctor, who found she had lost sight in that eye. On Jan. 3, Theresa was rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Surgery was the next day. But three weeks later, the tumor had grown back, causing more vision problems.
Theresa is now undergoing 16 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Yale-New Haven. She and her parents, Kim and Bob Pont, have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven because the car trip back and forth from Stonington makes the little girl sick.
"She's doing the best she can. The radiation wipes her out. It's like a cloud over her," Kim said this week. "But when she feels good, she's like her old self, joking around and smiling. We relish those times when her old personality is back."
Theresa was diagnosed shortly after she and her family had moved to Stonington, where Bob Pont had grown up. For the past 18 years he had lived in Florida.
The Ponts, who also have two sons, are also struggling with financial problems. Bob Pont has not been able to find a job because of the time he needs to spend with his daughter.
Borough resident Wendy Cekala, a friend of Bob Pont's brother, heard of the family's plight and decided two weeks ago to organize a fundraiser for them with the help of about 40 other volunteers.
The benefit pasta dinner, which will include a raffle and live music, will be Friday night at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society in the borough.
"We're doing this because this could be any one of our children," Cekala said. "They're a family in need who are in crisis both financially and with what is happening to their daughter."
Volunteers are spending this week preparing lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, desserts and other items.
Cekala said she hopes to raise a large sum of money for the family.
Kim Pont, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., said the outpouring of support from the people of Stonington, even though her husband has not lived here in almost two decades, has been overwhelming.
She said there have been calls, e-mails and a bake sale at St. Mary Church for the family.
She said either she or her husband plans to attend Friday's dinner to thank people. She hopes they both will attend, but that will depend on how Theresa is feeling.
"I can't believe how the community is trying to help us. It's just amazing," she said.
j.wojtas@theday.com
First, Theresa Pont, a kindergarten student at Deans Mill School, told her mother Kim she had a headache.
But it quickly went away, and Kim didn't think much of it. Then a few days later, Theresa felt nauseous. Kim thought she was coming down with something but didn't worry later in the day when Theresa felt better and ate dinner.
A few days later, though, Theresa's vision became blurry. A pediatrician said she might need glasses. That made sense to Kim because several family members already wear them.
But when she noticed Theresa's eye was drifting, she brought her back to the doctor, who found she had lost sight in that eye. On Jan. 3, Theresa was rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Surgery was the next day. But three weeks later, the tumor had grown back, causing more vision problems.
Theresa is now undergoing 16 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Yale-New Haven. She and her parents, Kim and Bob Pont, have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven because the car trip back and forth from Stonington makes the little girl sick.
"She's doing the best she can. The radiation wipes her out. It's like a cloud over her," Kim said this week. "But when she feels good, she's like her old self, joking around and smiling. We relish those times when her old personality is back."
Theresa was diagnosed shortly after she and her family had moved to Stonington, where Bob Pont had grown up. For the past 18 years he had lived in Florida.
The Ponts, who also have two sons, are also struggling with financial problems. Bob Pont has not been able to find a job because of the time he needs to spend with his daughter.
Borough resident Wendy Cekala, a friend of Bob Pont's brother, heard of the family's plight and decided two weeks ago to organize a fundraiser for them with the help of about 40 other volunteers.
The benefit pasta dinner, which will include a raffle and live music, will be Friday night at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society in the borough.
"We're doing this because this could be any one of our children," Cekala said. "They're a family in need who are in crisis both financially and with what is happening to their daughter."
Volunteers are spending this week preparing lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, desserts and other items.
Cekala said she hopes to raise a large sum of money for the family.
Kim Pont, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., said the outpouring of support from the people of Stonington, even though her husband has not lived here in almost two decades, has been overwhelming.
She said there have been calls, e-mails and a bake sale at St. Mary Church for the family.
She said either she or her husband plans to attend Friday's dinner to thank people. She hopes they both will attend, but that will depend on how Theresa is feeling.
"I can't believe how the community is trying to help us. It's just amazing," she said.
j.wojtas@theday.com
THERESA PONT BENEFIT DINNER
WHEN: FridayTIME: 6 to 9 p.m., dinner seatings at 6 and 7 p.m.WHERE: Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, 26 Main St., Stonington Borough.ADMISSION: $20 for adults, $10 for children. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting Wendy Cekala via FaceBook or Jennifer Geary at 860-710-1821.CONTRIBUTIONS: Payable to "Theresa Pont Benefit" can also be sent to c/o Kate Careb, P.O. Box 202, Stonington, CT 06378.
WHEN: FridayTIME: 6 to 9 p.m., dinner seatings at 6 and 7 p.m.WHERE: Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, 26 Main St., Stonington Borough.ADMISSION: $20 for adults, $10 for children. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting Wendy Cekala via FaceBook or Jennifer Geary at 860-710-1821.CONTRIBUTIONS: Payable to "Theresa Pont Benefit" can also be sent to c/o Kate Careb, P.O. Box 202, Stonington, CT 06378.
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