Help 2yr old Jared beat cancer!
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Jared Andrews is a 2 year old little boy that was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of hepatoblastoma or better known as liver cancer. Please help us raise money for Jared to receive a LIFESAVING surgery as there is no other option! Help an amazing little boy have a fighting chance to grow up and make his dreams come true!
Please see below for more pictures and the full detailed story. Updates will come as we find out more information. Please share this page with all your family and friends!
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Hepatoblastoma is a type of liver cancer that primarily affects children under the age of 3. This specific cancer affects 1 in a million children; however Jared's case is rarer because his tumor has grown into part of the heart. Most doctors that have faced this cancer have not encountered it affecting the heart. This nightmare started from a trip to the E.R. with a stomach ache that turned into a tumor being the size of a grapefruit that extends from the liver into the main arteries and unfortunately into the heart.
Jared was instantly admitted as an inpatient where he immediately received a biopsy and a port to begin an extremely aggressive chemo schedule. He is receiving 4 types of chemo in which 1 type is administered weekly. So far it has been a whirlwind of non-stop treatments and tests. Jared has been in and out of the PICU/Hospital since this battle started. His first chemo treatment was August 7th. So far it has been successfully shrinking the tumor to prep for surgery. However, chemo has not been gentle on his body as it has affected his kidneys, nutrition, and overall wellbeing. Jared has lost significant amount of weight in a very short time period. As a result, the doctors necessitated a feeding tube.
Jared will have to undergo extremely invasive surgery to remove the majority of his liver as well as open heart surgery to try to remove the tumor from the heart. The doctors have explained that this surgery is the only option. The surgery will last about 12 hours and will be performed at the Boston Children's Hospital, which is about 4 hours away from home. More updates will come as we find out more information about the surgery/recovery.
All of this occurs only 3 weeks after Jared lost his Aunt Sheila to a genetic form of lung cancer at an early age of 38. You would never think cancer would affect someone you love so early in life; then it hits two people you love so dearly within weeks of each other. Jared's parents, Kevin and Debbie Andrews, were not given the chance to emotionally or financially bounce back from the passing of their sister, Sheila, before battling with cancer again within the immediate family. Debbie has had to take a leave of absence from work; while Kevin has hardly been able to work himself.
We are seeking help for Jared from anyone who is willing. As stated above, the surgery Jared will be receiving is lifesaving as there is no other option. PLEASE help us save Jared! We are looking for as much help as soon as possible to ensure Jared gets the best treatment and this surgery. Our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts! We will not be able to get through this without the kindness of someone like you in helping a loving family in dire need of saving a little boy's life. He still has many years of dreams and adventures ahead so let us pull together and give Jared a fighting chance!
Jared is watching his favorite show Thomas the Train with Aunt Olivia! This is when he was first admitted to the hospital before the biopsy/port was performed.
Jared is playing with Thomas the Train toys! Can you tell he really loves Thomas the Train =)
Jared with his feeding tube. Can you guess what he is watching?? --- Thomas the Train again!
Please see below for more pictures and the full detailed story. Updates will come as we find out more information. Please share this page with all your family and friends!
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Hepatoblastoma is a type of liver cancer that primarily affects children under the age of 3. This specific cancer affects 1 in a million children; however Jared's case is rarer because his tumor has grown into part of the heart. Most doctors that have faced this cancer have not encountered it affecting the heart. This nightmare started from a trip to the E.R. with a stomach ache that turned into a tumor being the size of a grapefruit that extends from the liver into the main arteries and unfortunately into the heart.
Jared was instantly admitted as an inpatient where he immediately received a biopsy and a port to begin an extremely aggressive chemo schedule. He is receiving 4 types of chemo in which 1 type is administered weekly. So far it has been a whirlwind of non-stop treatments and tests. Jared has been in and out of the PICU/Hospital since this battle started. His first chemo treatment was August 7th. So far it has been successfully shrinking the tumor to prep for surgery. However, chemo has not been gentle on his body as it has affected his kidneys, nutrition, and overall wellbeing. Jared has lost significant amount of weight in a very short time period. As a result, the doctors necessitated a feeding tube.
Jared will have to undergo extremely invasive surgery to remove the majority of his liver as well as open heart surgery to try to remove the tumor from the heart. The doctors have explained that this surgery is the only option. The surgery will last about 12 hours and will be performed at the Boston Children's Hospital, which is about 4 hours away from home. More updates will come as we find out more information about the surgery/recovery.
All of this occurs only 3 weeks after Jared lost his Aunt Sheila to a genetic form of lung cancer at an early age of 38. You would never think cancer would affect someone you love so early in life; then it hits two people you love so dearly within weeks of each other. Jared's parents, Kevin and Debbie Andrews, were not given the chance to emotionally or financially bounce back from the passing of their sister, Sheila, before battling with cancer again within the immediate family. Debbie has had to take a leave of absence from work; while Kevin has hardly been able to work himself.
We are seeking help for Jared from anyone who is willing. As stated above, the surgery Jared will be receiving is lifesaving as there is no other option. PLEASE help us save Jared! We are looking for as much help as soon as possible to ensure Jared gets the best treatment and this surgery. Our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts! We will not be able to get through this without the kindness of someone like you in helping a loving family in dire need of saving a little boy's life. He still has many years of dreams and adventures ahead so let us pull together and give Jared a fighting chance!
Jared is watching his favorite show Thomas the Train with Aunt Olivia! This is when he was first admitted to the hospital before the biopsy/port was performed. Jared is playing with Thomas the Train toys! Can you tell he really loves Thomas the Train =) Jared with his feeding tube. Can you guess what he is watching?? --- Thomas the Train again!Organizer
Melody Andrews
Organizer
