My name is Ivan. I’m 23 years old, and just two months ago, I became a father to a beautiful baby girl named Violet.

While most new parents are focused on midnight feedings and first smiles, I’ve been facing something terrifying — a rare skull base tumor called a chordoma that has completely turned our lives upside down.

It started last year with severe headaches, vision changes, and pressure in my head. I was eventually rushed into emergency brain surgery in El Paso when the tumor began pressing against my optic nerve. The surgeons were able to relieve the pressure, but they couldn’t get the entire tumor out.

From there, things got harder.

Because of how rare this tumor is, it took nearly a full year to get the insurance approvals I needed to be seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. During that time — despite the first surgery — the tumor grew back to full size in just six months.

I tried to live as normally as I could while we waited. I graduated college, worked as a DoorDash driver while managing pain and fatigue, and welcomed my daughter Violet into the world — all while carrying the weight of this tumor.

On July 2nd, 2025, I finally had my second brain surgery at MD Anderson. The surgery went well and was considered a success. But my fight is far from over.

I’m currently staying in Houston with my mother to recover and prepare for the next steps. Because chordomas have a high recurrence rate, it’s still unclear whether I’ll need radiation therapy — another long, expensive chapter that we may soon have to face.

Between the travel, medical costs not fully covered by insurance, and the strain of trying to keep up with utilities and daily necessities — we’re at risk of falling further into debt just trying to stay afloat.

How Your Help Will Make a Difference:

• Cover medical bills not fully covered by insurance

• Support potential radiation treatment and follow-up care

• Help with essential living expenses so my wife, daughter, and I don’t fall deeper into financial hardship

• Allow us to keep our focus on healing, recovery, and raising Violet

This has been one of the hardest years of our lives. My wife works full-time while raising Violet, and I’m doing everything I can to fight for more time with my daughter — time without fear, pain, or hospital beds.

If you can donate anything — no matter the amount — it will make a difference. And if you can’t donate, please consider sharing this story.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us continue this fight.

With love and gratitude,

Ivan, Ashley, and Violet