A fundraiser to hopefully lighten the financial burden of a family whose 2-year-old son has a rare genetic disorder will be held this weekend.

“Chalk it up 4 Kasen,” a 50/50 eight-ball pool tournament at Diamond Billiards, takes place this Saturday starting at 11 a.m. The child’s family hopes to purchase a handicap accessible van to aid them in getting Kasen to medical appointments.

Kasen Davis has mitochondrial disease and Leigh syndrome. Mitochondrial diseases are long-term, genetic, often inherited disorders that occur when mitochondria fail to produce enough energy for the body to function properly. Leigh syndrome is a rare genetic neurometabolic disorder with symptoms associated with progressive neurological deterioration and may include loss of previously acquired motor skills, loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, and/or seizure activity.

“It affects his ability to sit up, walk, talk — all of his muscles,” said Kasen’s grandmother, Jane Davis. “He has to have a specialized chair to sit in, and it’s very, very heavy. We’re hoping to fundraise for a wheelchair-accessible van, so (his mother) Jen is able to transport him to all of his therapies.”

Davis said Kasen regularly visits medical professionals for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and more. As of now, the family uses their small car to navigate from one place to the next.

“We have been fortunate enough to receive a stroller that supports Kasen’s body properly and comfortably, but the new stroller is very heavy and awkward to transport in our current vehicle, which is a Toyota Camry,” said Kasen’s mother Jen Gonzalez. “Future chairs and equipment will be heavier and larger as Kasen grows. He is getting very heavy for me to carry from car seat to stroller for every appointment and/or doctor visit.”

Davis said her grandson is a fun-loving child who smiles and laughs despite his medical conditions.

“He’s a sweetheart,” she said. “Thankfully his disease doesn’t have any pain involved with it. He does have problems with his digestive track. But he smiles all the time and is just a joy. By looking at him, you wouldn’t think there’s anything wrong with him.”

Kasen, due to digestive issues from his health complications, requires a tube to eat and he vomits often. The disease is progressive and without a cure.

The wheelchair-accessible van is estimated to cost $61,780.

Entry fee for the tournament is $40 and registration will take place on-site. Doors open at 10 a.m. for registration or any time prior to event day at the front counter. The fundraiser also will include raffle drawings at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. as well as a silent auction at 5 p.m.

The silent auction will feature more than 50 items, including treats to Naples Hilton, Shula’s Steakhouse, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Key West Express and numerous pieces of fine jewelry.

“Even if you don’t play pool, there is plenty of fun and winnings available,” Gonzalez said. “We are touched by all the donations to help us care for Kasen.”

Davis added, “There are good people out there that are willing to help, and it does warm your heart. We are so thankful to all of the people that have donated.”

For those that can’t make the fundraiser there is a GoFundMe account set up for the purchase of the van at https://gofund.me/78c199a9.

Diamond Billiards is at 1242 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj