FORT MYERS, Fla. — If you like a cold beer and you want to support a good cause, check out Aydn Strong. Fort Myers Brewing Company released a new limited edition beer Tuesday to raise money for an 8-year-old boy in cape coral battling cancer.
Aydn Pickett was only four years old when he was first diagnosed with Leukemia in December of 2016. Now, four years later, his cancer has returned for the fourth time.
"His heart is still there, he’s in good spirits and so we were just sad to hear that this was happening to him again," says Monica Dixon, Marketing Manager for Fort Myers Brewing company.
I spoke to Aydn’s dad James Pickett on the phone and he told me times are tough for the entire family. Aydn and his mother Erica packed up the car Tuesday and headed to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.
James tells me Aydn will be there for at least 100 days while undergoing multiple surgeries to complete a second bone marrow transplant. He says the medical bills have now reached the millions with no end in sight.
"His family has been 'up-down, up-down' and we just really don’t think that any family should have to suffer the financial burden of that," says Dixon.
To help out, Fort Myers Brewing Company created an opportunity to raise money and awareness for Aydn. The company filled 200 six-pack cases of beer with a new limited edition German Pilsner.
The label is inspired by Aydn’s love of Legos.
"His favorite (toys) are Legos. They have the little Lego figure for him and the beer is name is Aydn Strong, it's a win-win," says family friend Kara Fales.
Aydn Strong is so popular that the first batch of 200 has already sold out. Fort Myers Brewing Company is working on a pre-order now for those who are interested in ordering.
The beer is selling for $12 a six-pack with $10 of that going directly to Aydn's family.
"Picking up a 6 pack and taking it home to enjoy, you can still show your support while being safe," says Dixon.
