A local restaurant will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday to help raise funds for a Suffolk Public Schools teacher.

“It’s really heartwarming to see their generosity,” said John Tice, who teaches fifth grade at Northern Shores Elementary.

Since 1998, John Tice has been confined to a wheelchair due to a severe baseball injury.

During a play in his last year of high school baseball, Tice slid headfirst into home plate, where he collided with the catcher’s shin guard and broke his neck. The injury left him a quadriplegic.

Since then, Tice has learned to cope with the injury. But, he admitted, “every day is kind of a challenge.”

Despite his ailments, his high school sweetheart, Sheree, remained by his side.

“She is an angel in my eyes in more ways than one,” Tice said.

Tice said that his children, 7-year-old twins Kylee and Colton, have been “good helpers” as well.

He referred to Kylee as his “little therapist,” as she often helps to bend and stretch his fingers and legs.

As a math and science teacher, Tice was aware of new developments in stem cell research. He saw this as a possibility to walk again.

After extensive research and recommendations, Tice decided to go with the South Florida Stem Center in Davie, Fla. He was counseled to receive at least three stem cell procedures to see significant results.

However, treatments proved to be extremely expensive, totaling $10,000 apiece.

Tice’s neighbor began a GoFundMe page toward the end of June. Within a month, donors had given more than $12,500.

“It was incredible how quickly the funds came up,” Tice said.

On July 18, Tice was able to have his first treatment. During the procedure, he had a portion of his old stem cells removed by a centrifuge. He was then implanted with more than 300,000 new stem cells.

Since the procedure, he has increased mobility in his left leg and foot.

“This is a very exciting time and I’m glad to see improvements,” Sheree said.

Tice hopes to receive the second procedure soon, which would implant more than 6 million stem cells.

“Anything I regain is going to be awesome,” Tice said.

Karen McGhee, who also teaches at Northern Shores Elementary, wanted to get involved as well. She urged her husband, “Boo” McGhee, the owner of Amici’s, to host a pancake breakfast fundraiser.

To date, the restaurant has sold more than 200 tickets. McGhee hopes to raise more than $1,500 at the breakfast.

“Everyone stepped up to support the guy,” he said.

Tice recognizes that raising funds for the treatments may take a while, but he is optimistic that he will soon be able to ride bikes and play baseball with his children.

“Always have hope and never give up,” Tice said.

The restaurant is located at 157 E. Washington St., and the fundraiser will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday.