Aaron Tanner, the 4-year-old Brentwood boy awaiting a heart and kidney transplant, is expected to be flown from UCSF to UCLA within the next few days and be placed on an organ donor waiting list.

Aaron was born with only a partially functioning heart. Although doctors predicted he would eventually become a candidate for a new heart, they didn’t anticipate Aaron would need the surgery until he was into his 20s. But when the preschooler’s kidneys began failing last month, causing subsequent pressure on his heart, it became clear that Aaron would need the rare double transplant surgery.

In an interview with the Press this week, Aaron’s mother Elizabeth said her son is holding on despite his ordeal: “He’s (Aaron) about as stable as they can get him right now. He’s on a lot of pain medication and he sleeps a lot, but he’s hanging in there. This has been such a nightmare. Once he’s got his heart and kidney, we can relax. I’m so ready for this to be over.”

As the Tanners continue to pray for a miracle, the community continues to rally behind the family, hosting a variety of fundraisers and events.

The most recently planned event is scheduled for Sept. 23 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Hanoum Estate in Oakley. Mike and Vickey Fagan, owners of Mike’s Beef ‘n’ Brew, are co-organizers of the benefit, which will include a barbecue dinner, live music and a Texas hold ’em tournament. Tickets for the event are $50 and include dinner and a buy-in for the poker tournament.

“We expect this to be a great event,” said Mike. “It’s a gorgeous spot that the owners have generously donated, so we’re hoping to gather a lot of local sponsors and donations. We’re just going to do whatever we can to help this family who has stopped everything to save their son. We want to make things a little easier.”

When told of the upcoming event, Elizabeth said she continues to be overwhelmed by the public outpouring of support.

“We thank God every day for our wonderful town and community and all the prayers that have been coming our way. We are so grateful.”

For more information on the Sept. 23 fundraiser, call Mike Fagan at 925-628-9657 or Noelle Young at 925-759-7538.

Other Tanner fundraisers include:

Saturday, August 29: Community Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 408 Pinenut St. in Oakley (call 925-679-9437 or e-mail elcenko@sbcglobal.net). Please bring any baked goods or items to sell before Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13: Aaron Tanner Dunk Booth at the Oakley Almond Festival (call 925-759-7538).

Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19: Rummage Sale, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, at Coldwell Banker, 3775 Main St. in Oakley (call 925-759-7538).

Thursday, September 17: Pizza Night at Straw Hat, 6680 Lone Tree Way in Brentwood’s Winco shopping center (call 925-634-3664).

For those able to help in other ways, other options are available. A fund has been set up at the Bank of Agriculture (c/o Aaron Tanner Heart Foundation), 2251 Balfour Road in Brentwood. Contributions may also be made online at www.saveabrokenheart.com.