6 year old Johnathan Lin has grade 4 glioblastoma
Donation protected
Hello and thank you for taking the time to read about 6 year old Johnathan Lin's plight with a brain tumor.Less than 3 months ago a seemingly healthy little boy, Johnathan, suffered a seizure and was brought to the local hospital here on Staten Island. It was determined there after a few days of tests that he should be transferred to NYU Hospital in NYC. After a battery of tests it was discovered that the seizure was the result of a brain tumor. The hope and prayer was that it would be diagnosed as benign. Sadly it was not the case. Not only was it not benign but it was diagnosed as a grade 4 Astrocytoma glioblastoma. A very rare occurrence in a child so young with a diagnosis and prognosis that no parent or child should ever have to hear. Click here to read about the disease. https://www.stjude.org/disease/astrocytoma-glioma.html
Since that diagnosis Jonathan has undergone 25 treatments of radiation and a variety of tests. Upon the completion of the radiation regimen Jonathan had a pet scan and and MRI with dye. The results of the pet scan and MRI were not the ones that we had all hoped for. Johnathan's tumors not only did not shrink but they defiantly expanded!
Johnathan's plan of treatment is now IV based with a powerful dose of Bevacizumab under the name brand of Avastin. Once a week every two weeks for three treatments covering the next 5 weeks. Upon completion of the Avastin IV treatment Johnathan will then have another MRI to guage the effectiveness of the drug.
Like all fundraisers our hope is to raise as much money as we possibly can! Much of the treatment up to now has fortunately been covered by insurance. Going forward the expectation is that it may not be the case as the family and doctors look to explore all forms of experimental and trial options.
What will the money be used for? Anything medical related that is not covered by insurance, household expenses, food, rent. Johnathan's father, Zenghua Lin, took off from work for a month with some loss of pay. His mom,Qing Zhao, has opted not to return to work after a pregnancy leave to care for the baby brother, Ethan and Jonathan's illness. This has lead to them currently falling 2 months behind in rent. In addition, the dad's work has him leaving out of state one week on and one week off. As a one car family. Uber has been the means of transport to and from NYU Hospital when the dad is at work. The hope is that some of the money raised through this fundraiser will also allow the family to buy a second hand car to allow mom the freedom and independence to shop and drive the children to their doctor appointments.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ray Heffernan
Organizer
Staten Island, NY
Qing Zhao
Beneficiary
