Callisburg — A benefit for Austin Hines has been set for Sunday at the old Tejas building in Callisburg.

On April 8, 2011, Deborah Hines received devastating news while her husband, Brian, was away on business, that their 7-year-old son, Austin Brian Hines, had an inoperable brain tumor attached to the stem of his brain.

Earlier that week, Deborah Hines had taken Austin to see Dr. Mark Klein after he failed a hearing test at school. The doctors performed multiple tests, one of which was an additional hearing test. According to the results, Austin failed the second hearing test while also showing signs of vision loss and facial weakness on his right side. This concerned his doctor. Austin was then sent to visit Cook’s Childrens Hospital for an MRI, where the tumor was revealed.

Since that day that Deborah and Brian first heard the alarming news of Austin’s condition, Austin has displayed a sense of determination and strength.

“He has shown more determination than I think any adult in his position could,” Deborah said.

According to Deborah, about a week after Austin’s diagnosis, he was sent for a brain biopsy.

According to his mother, a brain biopsy is no simple surgery and for Austin it was a four-hour ordeal. The biopsy revealed that Austin’s tumor was benign, but growing.

From then on, Austin has been through countless sedations for tests, restrictions from running, jumping and riding his bicycle, and six grueling weeks of daily radiation, which equates to 30 treatments.

Austin and his family are now playing the waiting game. With all of his radiation complete, Austin will have an MRI on August 1 to determine the results of the radiation. There, Austin will have another hearing test and an additional doctors appointment.

Today, Austin is a happy, rambunctious child with a lot going for him.

According to his mother, Austin enjoys building things with Legos and spending time with his older sister, Natalie.

 He just completed his first-grade year at Callisburg Elementary School; however, the second semester Austin spent at home while completing his radiation, but still passed with flying colors, according to his mother.

“He has so much energy,” she said. “This has changed his personality some, he acts out some.”

The family has incurred large medical expenses from the daily radiation treatments, MRIs, co-pays and hospital stays. Community members are gathering behind the family to raise money to cover these costs.

The community that has gathered to support the Hines, refer to themselves as Austin’s Army.

Austin’s biopsy was done the Thursday before Easter.

“A couple of days before the biopsy, Janice Brewer contacted a friend of mine about Bunnies and Badges, which is a part of the Krista Erin Brewer Sunshine Foundation,” Deborah said. “They came to our house Easter morning and decorated the yard with about 170 colored eggs. The kids counted them. They left (Easter) baskets on the porch for both kids. It was really touching to have the people in the community reach out and do so many nice things for us.”

Bunnnies and Badges wasn’t the only “nice thing” the community has done for the Hines family.

Earlier this year, Terry Weaver set up a softball benefit in Austin’s name. The money raised helped the Hines family pay for some of their medical expenses.

Now Sunday, there will be another benefit in his name.

Scotty Thurman and The Perfect Trouble Band will perform a live concert at the benefit. Thurman is a longtime friend of Austin’s father, Brian, and has been close with the family during this difficult time.

According to Deborah, Thurman himself had his own medical issues. He is a survivor of a brain tumor and can closely relate to Austin’s condition.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., followed by a silent auction at 4.

According to Deborah’s sister, Jennifer Bennett, a catfish dinner with all the fixings will be served at 5 p.m.

She also said the food for the event was all donated. The food was provided by Select Energy. And Budweiser donated the water and tea. The night will come to an end after a live auction at 6 p.m.

The cost of the event is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under.

The old Tejas building sits at the intersection of FM 678 (Camp Sweeny Road) and FM 2896 in Callisburg.

For more information about Austin or the benefit visit www.austinsarmy.com or www.austinbrianhines.com.