As Martinsville Boy Battles Leukemia, Morris Plains Group Hosts Fundraiser

Written by Russ Crespolini

The Five Corners Corn Hole Association, based in Morris Plains, will hold its sixth annual fundraiser from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Morristown Hyatt.

Proceeds will benefit Quinn Knapp (AKA The Mighty Quinn), of the Martinsville section of Bridgewater Township, a 5-year-old boy, who is receiving treatment for leukemia.

Morris Plains resident Bob O'Brien said he and a few local fathers he runs with got involved even though they don't know Knapp personally. 

"We are all lucky our kids are healthy and we found a way to help kids and have people enjoy themselves as they are doing it," O'Brien said. "We bring a lot of people together for a child they never met."

Knapp was diagnosed with type B leukemia on Aug. 20, 2013. According to his mother, Kori Knapp, Quinn was always very healthy, however, in the two weeks prior to diagnosis he had become tired and was bruising. 

A quick trip to the hospital, determined that he would be in a fight against leukemia. The family took Quinn to Philadelphia for a second opinion where they learned again he has an 85 percent to 90 percent chance to be cured, Lori Knapp said. 

Quinn is being treated at Morristown Medical Center and his mother said he is under going a final methotrexate treatment with an eye on being released Friday afternoon. When it comes to the fundraiser on Saturday, Lori Knapp said it looks as if the Mighty Quinn will be putting in an appearance. 

"That's if it doesn't snow too hard," Knapp said. 

Quinn is the youngest of three children.  He has a 10-year-old sister, Caroline and an 8-year-old brother, Colin.  

For more information,  go to www.mpcornhole.org or call 201-213-4988. Folks who want to help can sign up to deliver meals to the Knapps, or register to attend the event.