Community rallies for Logan!
Boy, 3, off to Germany for stem-cell surgery

By Melissa Fili
MethuenLife Writer

The love and generosity of an entire community will make Valentine’s Day extra special this year for 3-year-old Logan Debrocke and his family.
That’s when they’ll board a plane bound for Dusseldorf, Germany, where Logan will receive stem-cell surgery to hopefully help in his battle against cerebral palsy. Last month, a locally organized bocce tournament raised $25,000 to aid the family with expenses involved in the seven-day trip. Logan’s surgery alone, which is not covered by insurance, is expected to cost about $31,000.
“We are apprehensive, concerned,” admitted Greg Debrocke, with his arm comfortably draped around his smiling grandson’s waist. But his family is also hopeful that this brain procedure will help Logan live life to the fullest.
Logan was born three months premature on Christmas Day 2006, weighing in at just 2 pounds. His parents are Tracy and Robert Debrocke of Methuen.
“Doctors knew right away there was some brain damage, and they didn’t know if he could see, hear or speak,” recalls Greg.
Logan was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, a chronic movement or posture disorder affecting his legs. Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, which is caused by damage in the outer layer of the brain, is the most common form of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is not caused by problems with the muscles or nerves, but rather with the brain’s ability to adequately control the body.
Logan is a joy-filled and energetic boy with blond hair and beautiful blue eyes who loves cars, trains, Elmo, pasta and making silly faces. Although Logan cannot crawl or walk as of yet, his speech, perception and comprehension are top-notch. He moves around using a sit-down walker, which is heavy “puts his muscles to work,” says Greg. For the past two and a half years, Logan has attended a dozen weekly physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, swimming and horseback-riding sessions to help with muscle control.
“And he never once complains,” adds Greg, who is Logan’s “chauffeur.” Logan’s grandmother is Vicky Debrocke, a kindergarten teacher at the Timony School.
About a month ago, the Debrockes found out that Logan had been approved for surgery at the XCell-Center at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Germany. The center has performed about 400 stem-cell surgeries, where “intelligent,” or healthy, cells are implanted into the body and are then transformed into new tissue cells which replace damaged cells. This form of treatment has not yet been approved in the United States (thus is not covered by insurance) which is why the Debrockes are traveling abroad. It takes about three months for physical results to be noticed.
Logan’s stay will involve three days of pre-op care, the 30-minute operation and three days of post-op care. Doctors will implant Logan’s own healthy cells during the procedure.
While the family was thrilled to be approved for surgery, they realized finances would be an issue, and that’s when Mario and Carmela Pagnoni stepped in. Logan has been lovingly cared for in Carmela’s in-house day care since he was an infant; Mario has run plenty of fund-raisers through his Ken Waldie Sports Circuit Inc. program and is known as Methuen’s own “Bocce King.” Thus, they quickly organized a bocce fund-raiser last month at The PhanZone in Hampstead, N.H.
Logan’s family thought that raising $5,000 would be a good goal. But the community did MUCH better than that!
“We have a nucleus of bocce groups that got involved, plus family and friends. There was also a team from Northeast Rehab where Logan goes” for therapy,” said Mario. “Twenty teams total. People really stepped up. It was great.”
One-hundred forty people attended the event. Raffle baskets and sports memorabilia and tickets were donated. Individuals and organizations dug into their wallets; Latitude Sports Club and its owner Ralph Bagarella were major event sponsors. There was support from both the Methuen Exchange Club, of which Greg is secretary, as well as the Salem, N.H. Exchange Club. Borelli’s Deli, Mann Orchards and Panera Bread pitched in tremendously with breakfast and lunch. Members of Mario’s nonprofit group, Ken Waldie Senior Sports Circuit Inc., volunteered to organize and run the event.
“We just threw this together in three weeks,” smiles Carmela, about what ended up being the biggest benefit bocce tournament ever in New England, according to Mario. “Checks are still coming in.”
The total raised is $25,000 ... and counting! Donations came in from many family and friends all over the United States.
Greg says the Debrocke family is floored by the community support they have received. Little Logan, who attended the tournament, touched so many people that Greg is actually receiving notes from folks thanking HIM for inviting them.
The family, too, has found strength in Logan’s smile.
“His therapists have said that humor really helps” with recovery, said Greg, “and he is just so happy all of the time.”

Super-happy Logan Debrocke, 3, is gearing up for a trip to Germany where he will undergo stem-cell surgery to hopefully improve his movement and muscle control, affected by cerebral palsy. Logan is shown with (from left) Mario and Carmela Pagnoni, who recently organized a benefit bocce tournament for the boy, and Logan’s proud grandfather, Greg Debrocke. Photo by Melissa Fili.