CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Nine days after neighbors held Halloween early just for him, four-year-old Branden Witt went to the hospital to undergo brain surgery. The timing of Monday's surgery made it impossible for him to go trick-or-treating with other children on Halloween.
Branden's surgery began Monday afternoon.
Branden's mother Carol said the surgery went great. She said the doctors told her, Branden remained stable the entire time. After the surgery, he woke up enough for the doctors to see him move and then they sedated him again. Since then, Carol said Branden has moved and opened his eye a little to look at the family.
She said she couldn't be happier. She also thanked everyone for their prayers and well wishes.
Carol shared photos of Branden in the hospital pre-surgery with a Lightning McQueen pillow. Branden wore a Lightning McQueen costume when he went around his Swift Creek Crossing neighborhood collecting candy earlier this month.
The Witts passed out fliers, complete with pumpkins and glow sticks, to their Swift Creek Crossing neighbors asking them to put the glow sticks on their mailboxes to signal they were interested helping. On October 17, more than 40 neighbors had agreed to participate.
"So many neighbors, family, friends and even people we don't know have poured out love to not only Branden, but our entire family and we are so blessed beyond means because of it," Carol said. "We are truly overwhelmed with the responses and know its God's work at hand."
Don Pepe Mexican Restaurant on Hull Street and West Hundred roads will hold a fundraiser on October 30 for the Witt family. The fundraiser will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
