Journey to a cancer free Donovan!
Donation protected
Update from Cathy Martine:
Laurie's 4 year old son, Donovan Justice Mejia, has been battling cancer bravely for many months. Donovan was diagnosed last August with a grade 4, Medulloblastoma tumor. These brain tumors are extremely rare"”only 2 in a million kids"”and highly malignant. Donovan underwent surgery and aggressive chemotherapy, and on February 25th, he was declared cancer free.
After a brief remission, Donovan's cancer returned violently in the last 2 weeks. In less than 50 days, the cancer had spread to his front temporal lobe and along his spine. Too many tumors to operate. Donovan is not expected to survive this medical condition and will not be with us much longer.
Losing a child may be the most devastating event in any person's life. As Laurie's friends and community, everyone asks the same question, "How can we help?" We can offer prayers, support, and frankly, money. Donovan's expenses will be significant. I would ask you to rally to support one of our leaders in a time of need emotionally or financially if you are so inclined.
Original Message:
Hello friends and family of Al, Laurie, Bronson and Donovan. My name is Teresa, I am a co-worker and friend of Laurie's. When Laurie told me that Donovan has Cancer, my heart sank and the first thing that came to mind is "I want to be there to help". Although we all want to be there and do as much as we can to help in person sometimes that's not always an option. I hope that everyone that sees this page, that shares the same love and concern for the Mejia family can help donate as a way to show support. I pray that the funds raised will help Al and Laurie with some of the expenses that will come from doctor appointments and the time off of work needed to be with Donovan. Donovan has grade 4, Medulloblastoma brain tumor, that is extremely rare. I will call this the JOURNEY TO A CANCER FREE DONOVAN.
Donovan, you are a strong and amazing little boy and I know you will pull through and fight this with God's grace and the love and support of your family and friends.
The most important thing is Donovan getting better and becoming cancer free and whether you can donate or not, you're still greatly appreciated for your prayers, love, and support.
Al, Laurie and Family, sending you love and daily prayers!
Teresa
Update from Laurie and Al:
As a parent our worst nightmare came true on 7/31/13 when we received the call that they had found something on Donovan's brain MRI and we were going to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. When they say your life can change in the blink of a moment, it is definitely true.
Donovan was an extremely active 4 year old boy; playing baseball, swam weekly with his swim team, rode bikes and his favorite - playing with his 5 year old brother, Bronson. May 20th, 2013 (Donovan's 4th birthday) was the first symptom we noticed, Donovan vomited unexpectedly on our way to the airport for a family vacation. Over the next month and half, Donovan's vomited increase over time and we became extremely worried. We began a number of tests and then the MRI was ordered, we never thought!
Donovan had the 3cm brain tumor removed on 8/1/13 and it was the scariest 12 hours that we ever had to wait. Donovan made it thru the surgery well, but wasn't talking at first but made great progress day after day. On day 10 we were able to take Donovan home from the hospital and I think the best medicine was for him to be with Bronson, his brother. No one could get Donovan to laugh, and even start talking like Bronson could.
It took 3 weeks to receive the final pathology test, which seemed like an eternity when your sons life is what is at risk, and we were informed that Donovan has a grade 4, Medulloblastoma tumor. These brain tumors are extremely rare, 2 in a million kids, and highly malignant. The good news is that the tumor was caught and removed before it was able to spread to the spine or blood stream.
Now that the tumor has been removed, we need to start aggressively fighting the cancer to ensure that new tumors don't form. Even thou my son underwent the toughest battle so far of his life, it has only just begun. In a few days Donovan will began a chemotherapy plan, designed by Dr. Finley at Children's Hospital LA called Headstart 2. This aggressive chemo plan addresses brain tumor in children and was designed without radiation in hopes of killing the cancer without brain damage. It is scary this new and long battle that we will have and all that my little guy will have to endure, but just watching how strong he his and his determination each day gives me strength and I know that he will be able to overcome this.
We are extremely blessed and humbled by everyone's support in Donovan's fight against cancer!!!!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/donovanjusticemejia
Laurie's 4 year old son, Donovan Justice Mejia, has been battling cancer bravely for many months. Donovan was diagnosed last August with a grade 4, Medulloblastoma tumor. These brain tumors are extremely rare"”only 2 in a million kids"”and highly malignant. Donovan underwent surgery and aggressive chemotherapy, and on February 25th, he was declared cancer free.
After a brief remission, Donovan's cancer returned violently in the last 2 weeks. In less than 50 days, the cancer had spread to his front temporal lobe and along his spine. Too many tumors to operate. Donovan is not expected to survive this medical condition and will not be with us much longer.
Losing a child may be the most devastating event in any person's life. As Laurie's friends and community, everyone asks the same question, "How can we help?" We can offer prayers, support, and frankly, money. Donovan's expenses will be significant. I would ask you to rally to support one of our leaders in a time of need emotionally or financially if you are so inclined.
Original Message:
Hello friends and family of Al, Laurie, Bronson and Donovan. My name is Teresa, I am a co-worker and friend of Laurie's. When Laurie told me that Donovan has Cancer, my heart sank and the first thing that came to mind is "I want to be there to help". Although we all want to be there and do as much as we can to help in person sometimes that's not always an option. I hope that everyone that sees this page, that shares the same love and concern for the Mejia family can help donate as a way to show support. I pray that the funds raised will help Al and Laurie with some of the expenses that will come from doctor appointments and the time off of work needed to be with Donovan. Donovan has grade 4, Medulloblastoma brain tumor, that is extremely rare. I will call this the JOURNEY TO A CANCER FREE DONOVAN.
Donovan, you are a strong and amazing little boy and I know you will pull through and fight this with God's grace and the love and support of your family and friends.
The most important thing is Donovan getting better and becoming cancer free and whether you can donate or not, you're still greatly appreciated for your prayers, love, and support.
Al, Laurie and Family, sending you love and daily prayers!
Teresa
Update from Laurie and Al:
As a parent our worst nightmare came true on 7/31/13 when we received the call that they had found something on Donovan's brain MRI and we were going to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. When they say your life can change in the blink of a moment, it is definitely true.
Donovan was an extremely active 4 year old boy; playing baseball, swam weekly with his swim team, rode bikes and his favorite - playing with his 5 year old brother, Bronson. May 20th, 2013 (Donovan's 4th birthday) was the first symptom we noticed, Donovan vomited unexpectedly on our way to the airport for a family vacation. Over the next month and half, Donovan's vomited increase over time and we became extremely worried. We began a number of tests and then the MRI was ordered, we never thought!
Donovan had the 3cm brain tumor removed on 8/1/13 and it was the scariest 12 hours that we ever had to wait. Donovan made it thru the surgery well, but wasn't talking at first but made great progress day after day. On day 10 we were able to take Donovan home from the hospital and I think the best medicine was for him to be with Bronson, his brother. No one could get Donovan to laugh, and even start talking like Bronson could.
It took 3 weeks to receive the final pathology test, which seemed like an eternity when your sons life is what is at risk, and we were informed that Donovan has a grade 4, Medulloblastoma tumor. These brain tumors are extremely rare, 2 in a million kids, and highly malignant. The good news is that the tumor was caught and removed before it was able to spread to the spine or blood stream.
Now that the tumor has been removed, we need to start aggressively fighting the cancer to ensure that new tumors don't form. Even thou my son underwent the toughest battle so far of his life, it has only just begun. In a few days Donovan will began a chemotherapy plan, designed by Dr. Finley at Children's Hospital LA called Headstart 2. This aggressive chemo plan addresses brain tumor in children and was designed without radiation in hopes of killing the cancer without brain damage. It is scary this new and long battle that we will have and all that my little guy will have to endure, but just watching how strong he his and his determination each day gives me strength and I know that he will be able to overcome this.
We are extremely blessed and humbled by everyone's support in Donovan's fight against cancer!!!!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/donovanjusticemejia
Organizer
Teresa Paskey
Organizer
Corona, CA
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