Help Little Josie Fight Cancer

Just a few weeks ago, nearly two-year-old Josie woke up and suddenly couldn’t keep her balance. She stumbled when she tried to walk and couldn’t coordinate her movements. At first, doctors thought it might just be fluid in her ears. But when things didn’t get better, her parents took her to the hospital for more testing.

After several scans and blood tests that all came back normal, Josie was diagnosed with cerebellitis, an inflammation of the brain that was expected to resolve on its own. But her symptoms continued, and her parents refused to give up searching for answers.

After a series of additional MRIs, a neurologist at Duke Children’s Hospital ordered a full-body CT scan. That scan revealed devastating news — a neuroblastoma tumor near her spine. The tumor had triggered a rare autoimmune condition called Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome (OMAS), which affects the brain and nervous system. Only 2–4% of children with neuroblastoma experience this syndrome.

OMAS has caused Josie to lose her balance and coordination, making it difficult for her to do the things every toddler loves to do — walk, play, and explore.

Josie spent a week at Duke Children’s, where she received five days of IV steroids and two days of IVIG treatments (antibodies from donor blood). Surgeons were able to successfully remove the tumor, and the family is now waiting on final biopsy results.

But Josie’s journey is far from over. Her treatment plan includes:

IV Rituximab infusions, each lasting 5–6 hours

Monthly IV steroids for six months

IVIG treatments once a month for at least a year — possibly two to three years

Ongoing physical and occupational therapy

Full-body scans every three months to monitor for any recurrence

Through it all, Josie continues to smile and show incredible strength. She is a loving little sister to her 3½-year-old sister and a proud big sister to her baby brother, who is just three months old.

Her family is doing everything they can to support her, but the road ahead includes countless medical appointments, hospital stays, and travel for treatment. Your donation will help cover medical costs, therapies, travel, and the many expenses that come with long-term care.

Every bit of help makes a difference as Josie continues her fight — because no parent should ever have to hear the words:

“Your child has cancer.”