Manning FFA holding barbecue fundraiser for Brian Mance

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The Manning High School FFA Alumni Association is stepping up to help a fellow Monarch. The Brian Mance Barbecue Chicken fundraiser will be held 11:15 a.m. Sept. 9 in the CATE area of Manning High School near the agricultural shop. There will be barbecue half-chickens, baked beans and cole slaw sold to assist Mance with medical costs related to his battle with a rare neurological disorder. Mance was diagnosed in July with neurosarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disorder, and spent 21 days in the hospital. On July 25, he was transferred to a rehabilitation center that specializes in the type of extensive therapy that will help him regain his mobility. “Brian is doing pretty good,” wife Torrun Mance told TigerNet. “He is making progress every day. It’s just been a slow process, but he is doing pretty good.” The Manning native made a name for himself playing at Clemson University and went on to coach at Wofford College. His friends started a GoFundMe in July to help with his medical costs, initially looking to raise at least $65,000. Such costs include a 75-mile trip one way for the family to his rehabilitation center nearly every day, according to the page. According to the page, Mance, Torrun and their son, Jaden, were celebrating July 4 in the Clarendon area with family and friends when Mance began experiencing neck pain. “The pain became so severe that they ended up at the emergency room, where Brian became increasingly worse and began to lose all mobility in his limbs,” the page said. Mance and his family consulted more than seven doctors, and finally confirmed a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis. The illness manifests itself in abnormalities of the cranial nerves, a group of 12 nerves supplying the head and neck area, and treatment is through immunosuppressants. Symptoms include reduced function on one or both sides of the face; reduction in visual perception due to optic nerve involvement; double vision; hearing loss; vertigo; swallowing problems; weakness of the shoulder muscles; seizures; and problems with the portion of the brain that deals with mobility. You may donate toward the account at www.gofundme.com/2g9z97e4. However, for next week's barbecue dinner, the cost is $8 per plate, which includes a half-chicken, baked beans and slaw. Orders must be placed by Tuesday. For more information, message the Manning High FFA through Facebook by clicking here.