Help Drake Beat Brain Cancer
Donation protected
Please support Scott and Kathy Poteet as they help their son Drake fight Medullablastoma.
My Nephew Drake Poteet is an 8 year old boy in the second grade and one of the sweetest children I know. His gentle pure heart is full of innocence and kindness. He has a fierce love for all animals and chocolate covered pretzels. He considers himself a jiu jitsu master in training, an avid Giants fan and a Star Wars aficionado. Drake loves life.
Scott and Kathy’s lives were devastated on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 when their only-child Drake went to UCSF for an MRI to confirm a diagnosis of migraines. The MRI revealed a 2-inch tumor near the brain stem and 3 additional metastasis (tumors).
Two short days later on Thursday, March 31, 2016 Drake underwent an 8 hour brain surgery where they removed 80%-90% of the main tumor. During surgery it was apparent that in order to avoid disruption to the brain stem (responsible for all subconscious functions like breathing and heart beat), the surgeon couldn’t remove 100%. The decision was also made that the other 3 tumors were inoperable considering their location.
Shorty after surgery Drake was diagnosed with High Risk Medulloblastoma. Drake’s tumors are located directly between the brain stem and the cerebellum - two essential parts of the brain that are critical to our normal, every day function as a human being. His tumors are considered to be very aggressive.
For the next year young Drake with undergo both aggressive cranio-spinal radiation and chemotherapy. His treatment will most likely have negative effects to his cognitive abilities and he will suffer from short term memory loss. They are saying that he will likely see a loss in IQ that could impair the way he processes information and learns. It doesn’t look like he will be returning to the 2nd grade where his report cards have been off the charts.
He will also need some hormonal treatments/therapies as he gets older because his thyroid, adrenal gland and hypothalamus will all be affected by the treatment. He will most likely have significant hearing loss and will need to rely on hearing aids. There could also be some stunting to his growth. The only thing we know for certain about the next year is that this therapy is going to have considerable long and short term side effects. We know there is no other choice, but the thought of what Drake will have to deal with is truly heart-breaking.
Scott and Kathy are currently deciding where the treatment will be done. They are considering UCSF and St. Judes Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. Either decision is going to change their family forever. It’s all about what’s best for Drake now. It is painful to envision these changes and challenges happening to this beautiful, sweet boy but it is the only option. They will find the treatment that gives the most hope for Drake and just move ahead and FIGHT.
Like so many Bay Area families both Scott and Kathy work to maintain the mortgage of their modest condo on the Peninsula. Scott works for the County and Kathy is a legal secretary. They try hard to stay within their means, but we all know the Bay Area is very expensive. As hard as it’s going to be, Scott will return to work because his job provides health insurance. Kathy will need to leave her job to be with her son during this critical time of daily treatment appointments and ongoing physical and occupational therapies. This is going to be a significant disruption to their finances.
The goal of this gofundme is to allow Drake to stay in his home while he fights for his life. They are a hard-working family and have always supported themselves, but right now, they need help.
They are deeply grateful for any financial help that you can offer. They hope to keep some semblance of normalcy for Drake as he goes through all of this. Please keep Drake in your prayers.
Thank you for your consideration and kindness.
Gratefully,
Team Drake
My Nephew Drake Poteet is an 8 year old boy in the second grade and one of the sweetest children I know. His gentle pure heart is full of innocence and kindness. He has a fierce love for all animals and chocolate covered pretzels. He considers himself a jiu jitsu master in training, an avid Giants fan and a Star Wars aficionado. Drake loves life.
Scott and Kathy’s lives were devastated on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 when their only-child Drake went to UCSF for an MRI to confirm a diagnosis of migraines. The MRI revealed a 2-inch tumor near the brain stem and 3 additional metastasis (tumors).
Two short days later on Thursday, March 31, 2016 Drake underwent an 8 hour brain surgery where they removed 80%-90% of the main tumor. During surgery it was apparent that in order to avoid disruption to the brain stem (responsible for all subconscious functions like breathing and heart beat), the surgeon couldn’t remove 100%. The decision was also made that the other 3 tumors were inoperable considering their location.
Shorty after surgery Drake was diagnosed with High Risk Medulloblastoma. Drake’s tumors are located directly between the brain stem and the cerebellum - two essential parts of the brain that are critical to our normal, every day function as a human being. His tumors are considered to be very aggressive.
For the next year young Drake with undergo both aggressive cranio-spinal radiation and chemotherapy. His treatment will most likely have negative effects to his cognitive abilities and he will suffer from short term memory loss. They are saying that he will likely see a loss in IQ that could impair the way he processes information and learns. It doesn’t look like he will be returning to the 2nd grade where his report cards have been off the charts.
He will also need some hormonal treatments/therapies as he gets older because his thyroid, adrenal gland and hypothalamus will all be affected by the treatment. He will most likely have significant hearing loss and will need to rely on hearing aids. There could also be some stunting to his growth. The only thing we know for certain about the next year is that this therapy is going to have considerable long and short term side effects. We know there is no other choice, but the thought of what Drake will have to deal with is truly heart-breaking.
Scott and Kathy are currently deciding where the treatment will be done. They are considering UCSF and St. Judes Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. Either decision is going to change their family forever. It’s all about what’s best for Drake now. It is painful to envision these changes and challenges happening to this beautiful, sweet boy but it is the only option. They will find the treatment that gives the most hope for Drake and just move ahead and FIGHT.
Like so many Bay Area families both Scott and Kathy work to maintain the mortgage of their modest condo on the Peninsula. Scott works for the County and Kathy is a legal secretary. They try hard to stay within their means, but we all know the Bay Area is very expensive. As hard as it’s going to be, Scott will return to work because his job provides health insurance. Kathy will need to leave her job to be with her son during this critical time of daily treatment appointments and ongoing physical and occupational therapies. This is going to be a significant disruption to their finances.
The goal of this gofundme is to allow Drake to stay in his home while he fights for his life. They are a hard-working family and have always supported themselves, but right now, they need help.
They are deeply grateful for any financial help that you can offer. They hope to keep some semblance of normalcy for Drake as he goes through all of this. Please keep Drake in your prayers.
Thank you for your consideration and kindness.
Gratefully,
Team Drake
Organizer and beneficiary
Heidi Poteet Marini
Organizer
Santa Cruz, CA
Kathy Poteet
Beneficiary
