http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2013/dec/03/265429/

Dan and Saasha Huston’s son Gibson started having around 80 seizures each day at the age of 3. His medication wasn’t helping, and the only way he’d have a chance at a good quality of life was a rare kind of brain surgery called a hemispherectomy.

This is a radical brain surgery, in which one side of a child’s brain is removed and disconnected with the hope that by removing this damaged side, the child can live a seizure-free life. These children are already on high doses of medication that can lead to damaging developmental side effects. The surgery is done with hope that the child can then be weaned off the medication and live without any seizures.

Gibson went through the surgery twice. The first surgery in Los Angeles stopped the seizures for a short period of time, but the second procedure (also in Los Angeles) extinguished the seizures completely. He hasn’t had a seizure since.

“At that time, the Hemispherectomy Foundation didn’t exist,” Dan said.

Started in 2008 by a Texas family whose 6-year-old daughter went through a similar experience, the Hemispherectomy Foundation provides families with a support system comprised of fellow parents going through this traumatic ordeal with their children. The foundation also serves as a forum for parents to trade resources on the latest physical therapy treatments.

“Not only does [Hemi Foundation] support the families that have gone through this surgery or are about to go through this surgery, but it raises money for research,” Dan said. “Their ultimate goal is to find a cure for these conditions that require this surgery, and help cure epilepsy in general.”

After Gibson had fully recovered from the surgery, the Hustons wanted to give back to the friends and families in Lawrence who were their biggest support system with a giant celebration. It quickly morphed into a benefit concert and auction called Hemi Jam with all proceeds going to Hemi Foundation, and raising awareness about this serious issue, put together solely by Dan, Saasha and a close friend.

The third annual Hemi Jam fundraiser to bring in donations for children and families suffering from radical brain surgery, will be 7 p.m. Saturday at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. Tickets are $10.

The night’s program includes a live and silent auction, as well as performances from local bands Revelation: A Tribute to Journey, The Band That Saved the World, and Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Lisa Donnelly, who is also a Lawrence native. She recently released single from new album “Home” last month, one appearing on the wedding special of the TV show “The Bachelorette.” Donnelly also used to sing backup for funk group The Band that Saved the World.

Local businesses have donated restaurant gift cards and spa packages for the silent auction. Live auction items include two round-trip tickets anywhere in the U.S. donated by Southwest Airlines, a two-night stay at a Florida beach resort, and four tickets to the KU-New Mexico men’s basketball game Dec. 14 at the Sprint Center, with limo transportation, among other things.

Unlike most concerts at the Granada, reserved tables and chairs will fill the venue. The two past Hemi Jams brought in about 300 people.

“We’ve had a great response from businesses, which is great support,” Dan said. “When Gibson was going through his surgery, the Lawrence community was incredibly present and supportive as well.”

Lawrence hosted the last annual Hemi Foundation conference this summer, previously held in larger cities like Los Angeles, Baltimore and Indianapolis.

“It was a nice family-oriented conference where we were able to hang out and also learn the latest techniques in physical therapies, medication and all of the things that are hard to keep up with easily,” Dan said. “You learn so much from other families.”