In Columbiana County, kids are allowed to raise an animal to be sold at the Junior Fair.
Tyler Beadnell is one of the kids who raised a hog for the auction at the Junior Fair. However, he was not merely participating in the fair; he was doing this to help the family.
He was selling his hog because he wanted to use the money to pay for his father's hospital bills. Because of the young boy's intentions, he was able to raise 26,000 US Dollars.
The dad's condition
Tyler's dad, Toby, was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma. This is a type of skin cancer that develops in the melanocytes. The risk of developing melanoma may come from extreme exposure in UV radiation from sunlight or even tanning lamps.
In the case of Tyler's dad, cancer has already spread to his bone marrow, spine, spleen, and neck.
Toby gets his treatment in Cleveland. Because of this, the family had to drive back and forth to Cleveland from Kensington.
This arrangement led to Tyler telling his mom, "I want to donate my money to dad and you for the medical bills, hotels and gas money for running back (and forth)."
The bidding at the Junior Fair
When the auction for Tyler's hog started, the bidding took off.
Tyler's hog got resold five times. It was not the quality of the pig that caused this; it was because the people who bided knew where the money was going.
Tyler did not expect that he would make that much money. He said, "I just thought I was doing it for my dad and I didn't think it was going to go for that much."
It is sporadic in the Junior Fair of Columbiana County to have a hog sold five times. According to WKBN 27, having a pig sold more than once is already rare. Those who were able to buy the hog during the first four times had donated it back to be sold, until the young boy was already able to raise $26,000.
When Tyler was able to raise 26,000 US Dollars, he was very emotional. He hugged his mother, and the two were in tears while tanking everyone who participated in the bidding.
The reaction of Tyler's dad
It was not only the people of Columbiana County that Tyler was able to inspire. His father was equally happy about what Tyler did.
According to Tyler's mom, Tina, they are very proud of what Tyler did.