NATCHEZ — Earlier this year, Garrett Harrigill started experiencing symptoms such as smell hallucinations, dizziness, passing out and shaking.

At first, Harrigill’s aunt Teri Troxler said he didn’t think it was anything serious.

But the symptoms persisted and became more frequent in March, Troxler said.

At the time, Troxler said, Harrigill, 23, who lives in Vidalia, was working in Texas and on March 11 Harrigill called Troxler, who is a registered nurse, and told her work had sent him home because he had a spell at work.

“He drove 11 hours from Texas back to Natchez, by himself,” Troxler said. “So, obviously, God was with him on that one, because he could have easily blacked out or had a seizure.”

Troxler said she arranged blood work and a doctor visit for Harrigill as soon as he got back to the Miss-Lou.

“The doctor came back and said, ‘You’ve got two masses on your brain, two lesions, on your brain,” Troxler said.

A brain biopsy later revealed, Troxler said, that Harrigill has glioblastoma and he now has four brain tumors.

Harrigill has not been able to work and is scheduled to begin radiation therapy Monday, Troxler said.

To help Harrigill pay medical and living expenses, Troxler said she and her friends, including Kevin Campbell, pastor of Cranfield Baptist Church, have organized a fundraising softball tournament starting at 8 a.m. Saturday at Adams County Christian School baseball field, 300 Chinquapin Lane, Natchez.

Troxler said Campbell who plays softball regularly on the weekends, organized seven teams to participate in the tournament.

“He formed the teams, and I’m doing everything else,” Troxler said. “We are going to have a concession stand. We have got a bouncy house that was donated. We’ve got T-shirts for sale. We are selling raffle tickets, plus many, many more prizes for the raffle tickets. We have many things to give away.”

The raffle tickets are $5 each and prizes include RayBan sunglasses, $100 and $50 gift certificates, a free carwash, an oil change and more.

The event is free to attend, Troxler said, and she encourages people to come by to watch the games, get a raffle ticket, enjoy refreshments and let the children play in the bounce house.

“Or, if you just want to stop by and drop a donation, we take that, too,” Troxler said. “If anybody wants to just come by and buy raffle tickets, we will be there all day. You do not have to be present to win.”

The softball tournament starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at ACCS baseball field at 300 Chinquapin Lane, Natchez.

“With seven teams it could go on until 11 or 10 o’clock at night,” Troxler said.

People who would like to make a donation can make checks payable to Garrett Harrigill, Troxler said, and mail them to 411 Walnut St., Natchez.

For more information, Troxler said people could call her at 601-431-2822 or Garrett’s grandmother, Katherine Harrigill, at 601-431-6226.