Quarry Party Aids Infant’s Head Surgery

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Fun isn’t the only reason to attend Axl’s Gear Head Classic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Pro-Street Custom Cycles in Kailua. The classic is packed with motorcycle exhibits, contests and music - all to help raise money for a little boy in need.

Axl James Deacon, age 15 months, has craniosyntosis, a congenital defect that causes one or more sutures on his head to close earlier than normal. Funds raised will go toward the $50,000 needed for corrective surgery. Craniosyntosis occurs in one of every 2,000 births, explained Axl’s dad, Chase Deacon.

“It’s when the soft spot in their head is fused prematurely ... It had to do with the way his head was in the birth canal.”

Right now Axl doesn’t have any cognitive problems, but as he ages his head will become more and more misshapen, and later in life it can cause migraines and brain problems. Between 3 and 6 months of age is the optimum time to take care of this,said Deacon, which is why he and his wife, Moana, have been working tirelessly to find a surgeon and schedule their son’s procedure. The Windward parents found that local neurologists are not as experienced with this procedure as those on the Mainland. They also had a hard time seeing a doctor here, as they are booked months in advance.

“It got kind of scary for us. We just went on our own and found this hospital in Texas, they specialize in it.Dr.Fearon (at Texas’Cranial Facial Center) has done over 800 of these procedures.”

Their insurance company considered it cosmetic and initially wouldn’t help pay for it, but then reconsidered.Unfortunately,they’re covered only if surgery is done in Hawaii. So, Deacon said, “we’re shooting to take care of it all.”

A Harley Davidson mechanic at South Seas Cycle, Deacon’s father owns Pro-Street Custom Cycles in Kailua (905 Kalanianaole Hwy. in Kapaa Quarry industrial park). They have experience staging motorcycle shows and expect up to 3,000 people to attend the Gear Head Classic at the quarry site.

Four-wheel drive trucks, trials and mixed martial arts exhibitions are planned, as well as a tattoo contest, burn out contest, slow bike race, keiki activities, food booths, a family friendly Cherry Blossom cabaret show, as well as displays of VW show cars, hot rods, custom bikes and mini trucks. Entertaining are Big Dog, Stone and Biker Blues.

“Instead of just a regular show, it’s more of an event,“he said.”(We want to) keep everyone excited.”

The $20 tickets are on sale locally at Pro-Street Custom Cycles, Creek Side Tavern, Odyssey Tattoo and Mu’umu’u Heaven. Presale tickets include a raffle ticket for a CFL Chopper, custom built by Deacon and his father. Tickets are also $20 at the gate, but cover only the entry. Buy $5 raffle tickets at the show for a chance at more prizes. Keiki 12 and under are free. For details, go to www.prostreethawaii.com.

Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank accept checks in the name of Axl James Deacon.

Axl’s grandmother,Katy Deacon, encourages everyone to attend and is grateful to those who’ve lent a hand in organizing it.“Everybody in the show has volunteered their time - the printing of tickets, flyers, just a wonderful show of love from everybody.”