FLEMING ISLAND – When Kenneth Patrick accepted a $4,271 check from Bar Manager Jerry Byrd at Whitey’s Fish Camp on Friday afternoon, but he admitted the outpouring of support from the community from the Ribs Cook-Off on April 27, was more valuable than money.

The competition, won by the Smokin’ Bones BBQ team of Tony and Heather Raish, was organized by Marty “Gadget” Cline and Melissa Calcote to raise money to help the Patricks offset medical expenses incurred for cancer treatments for their son, Ethan, who just turned 1.

“The fact that so many came out and showed they cared meant so much to us,” the Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy said. “They didn’t know us but were here to support us. It was so important.” Moreover, the Patrick family said Ethan has shown remarkable improvement. He has three treatments remaining in what they described as a “difficult” regimen of life-saving therapies.

They said the tumor has shrunk “to the size of a grape,” which gives Ethan’s oncologist the option to remove the cancer or perform a transplant – options that weren’t available six months ago.