Nobody will ever convince Louise Barket that the idea of a mother’s intuition is a myth.

When doctors told her that her youngest son, Zayden Heil, just several months old at the time, suffered from bronchitis and croup, she knew it was something more.

“He was having trouble breathing and I just couldn’t settle for the fact that it was bronchitis, even though all of the hospitals in the area told us that,” Barket said. “His family doctor, after looking at all the X-rays, told me we had to go to Philly to see an oncologist.”

Barket’s suspicion was correct.

At 5 months old, after spending a month in Philadelphia, specialists confirmed Zayden had a mediastinal mass, respiratory distress, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and diabetes insipidus; all rare conditions.

Zayden, now 3 years old, along with his 10-year-old brother Blaze Heil, will be the guests of honor at Franklin Township’s annual old-timers benefit game on May 21. Pregame ceremonies for Zayden and Blaze, of Jim Thorpe, kick off at 1:30 p.m. at Phifer’s Ice Dam field, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

“The kids are really excited,” Barket said. “Years from now, I think it will be awesome to look back and see, hey they played this game for you. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make these memories.”

The benefit event pits Franklin Township softball old-timers against members of the Lehighton Borough and Franklin Township fire departments. The day’s activities include a firetruck ride to the field for Zayden and Blaze, who has been diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and sensory impairments.

“We’re excited to be able to do the game again this year,” said Ron Steigerwalt of the Franklin Township Athletic Association. “It’s always a fun event for a great cause in that we can help out a local family.”

After doctors found a tumor was collapsing Zayden’s airways, he underwent chemotherapy for a year. Treatment, however, failed to shrink the tumor and led to other complications, including a blood clot in his heart and lung.

“Right now, the tumor is on hold because the blood clot is in the main artery to the heart,” Barket said. “Surgery at this point would be a major risk. We have appointments with cardiology and oncology this month to talk about where we go from here.”

Barket said Zayden is a spirited child but doctor’s appointments and hospital trips essentially since birth have had a traumatic effect.

“Since he was 5 months old, he’s been in and out of hospitals with people sticking him with needles, taking blood, etc.,” Barket said. “He understandably doesn’t want anyone touching him at this point. When he started on Lovenox for the blood clot, he was getting shots in the leg twice a day for 11 months.”

Doctors have told Zayden’s family he’ll likely be seeing them for the rest of his life. On Saturday, however, he and Blaze will have the spotlight for all the right reasons.

“We don’t know what the future holds, but the memory of this game is something we’ll be able to carry forever,” Barket said.

The day also includes a basket raffle and bake sale, both of which start at 11 a.m.

A Franklin Township 12-year-old Little League game will get the on-field action started at 11:30 a.m.