Get Katie and her boys to Florida for the launch

Anthony Pappalas, son of Katie Gaskin and brother to Luke and Daniel, was a brilliant boy filled with positivity, compassion, smiles, laughter and love. Anthony loved learning about space and everything NASA. When he grew up he wanted to be an astronomer. He also was a meatball connoisseur and a big Chicago Cubs fan (despite growing up on the South Side of town). Anthony loved life, even until the very end of his short life, he smiled and his positivity radiated, it was contagious. His laugh was infectious!

When he was 5 years old, Anthony was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). DIPG involves a tumor that is fused with the brain stem. As a result, it’s treatment options are difficult and it has a less than 1% survival rate. Anthony embarked on a 19 month battle with the disease before ultimately losing his battle in March of 2017.

During his battle and his short time on this Earth, Anthony and his story inspired many, many people … including team members at NASA. When NASA heard Anthony’s story and his love for space, they reached out and treated him to VIP tours at both the Houston, TX and Huntsville, AL sites. While in Alabama in 2016, Anthony met with team members working on the Artemis I rocket! His smile, love for space, and sense of humor made quite the impression on the team. They had Anthony and his brothers sign their names on the Artemis I rocket. Now, when Artemis I soars into space headed towards the moon, Anthony’s dream of space and reaching for the stars will come true!

In another amazing twist, with the scrubbed launch on August 29th, the next planned launch attempt will be Friday, September 2nd … which would have been Anthony’s 13th birthday.

Anthony’s family was planning a watch party / birthday party for Friday. However, witnessing the launch live and in person would be amazing! Please consider supporting efforts to get Anthony’s mom and brothers to Florida for the launch. That would be such a GOOD day!

Please keep this a secret as Katie and the boys don’t know about this gofundme.