Twenty days before Christmas, 5 year-old Gia was diagnosed with cancer upon discovery of a tumor on her kidney after weeks of illness.

Please help us give Gia and her family some relief as they prepare for her treatment journey.

Gia's Story:

Gia was place in the foster care system on October 4, 2025, two weeks before her 5th birthday, before she was ultimately placed with a family member on November 7, 2025. On December 5, 2025, she was diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer Updates:

On December 9, Gia went through major surgery to remove a tumor the size of a football as well as one of her kidneys. The tumor burst as it wrapped around her spleen, liver, and abdominal wall. It was determined that she was stage 3, and aggressive chemo and radiation would be needed as the tumor showed evidence that she could be genetically disposed (i.e., she could get other cancers). The chemo she is taking also has a risk of causing leukemia. Her current chances of successfully beating cancer are around 75%. However, due to the aggressive treatment, Gia has a 90% chance of being infertile and will never reach puberty naturally. She will have to start hormone therapy around age 10 which she will have to maintain for the rest of her life. She had an ovary removed in January 2026, which will be preserved to increase her chance of carrying her own child one day.

Gia Updates:

Gia continues to be a fun-loving, sassy 5-year-old who loves to draw, play games, and take care of babies. She is in the year-long process of being formally adopted by her family member.