<div>Our 15 year old daughter Gracie, was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma on April 10th, 2025. By the time this was found, her cancer had metastasized. Her originating tumor was the size of a key lime, with several smaller tumors in her brain, and a coating of cancer cells down her spinal cord.
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<div>Three days after her cancer was found, she underwent brain surgery to remove as much of the main tumor as possible, without significantly impacting her long term quality of life (near brain stem). She also had a shunt permanently implanted which allows excess brain/spinal fluid to empty into her stomach. After a week in icu, she started, and completed 30 sessions of whole brain and spine radiation. Following radiation, she then started and completed 6 months of chemotherapy. Which included many bags of blood and platelets, to assist in her counts rebounding each cycle.
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<div>December 28th, 2025: Gracie officially finished treatment and rang the bell, and entered remission!
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<div>Gracie jumped into advocate mode. She started supporting other local cancer kids. Showing up for fundraisers. Sending supportive messages. She then stepped up even more, and was her high school’s very first Wish Kid, for Wish Week. She assisted in raising $50,000 for Make-a-wish Colorado, which was the equivalent of 5 future wishes! I couldn’t have been prouder.
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<div>Which brings us to today… which is difficult for me personally, as I’m not used to being on the asking side of fundraising.
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<div>July 13th, 2026… Gracie had her quarterly MRI’s, which had been stable up to now. Gracie’s latest MRI’s, showed that she has unfortunately relapsed. Her cancer has started progressing again in the original tumor bed in her brain, as well as a couple of other spots in her head. The most devastating part of this, is that we are no longer treating to cure, we are treating to slow down and stabilize. Imagine having to tell a 15 year old this… a conversation I will never forget.
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<div>The good news… there are treatments/protocols specifically designed for Medulloblastoma relapse. We will be starting a protocol called “MEMMAT” at the end of next week. Gracie should be feeling pretty good during this upcoming treatment, as these drugs aren’t as heavy of hitters as her normal treatment.
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<div>While all of this has been a lot to take in and accept… it doesn’t really change much. In this family we live every day like it could be our last. We don’t believe in medical timelines, as there are far too many variables. We just do our best to be grateful for every day, every week, every month, and every year that we get. We have a good team getting us through this, and Gracie is in good spirits.
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<div>So here we are asking for your help, financially. All funds will be going towards medical bills, loss time from work, and making what we hope will be many more family memories to come.
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<div>I will continue to share Gracie’s story here, as she writes the pages. We are also, not trying to make our misfortune a financial burden on anyone else… if you are unable to contribute, no problem at all. Sharing this fundraiser instead, will go a long way. Appreciate all of you!
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<div>#GracieStrong
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Vinnie Vasquez

Anonymous

Jeremy Woodhams

Abby Fithian

Kris Kurti

Andrea Peterson

Taylor Brown

Aaron Malone

Ron Shuster

Katie Klopatek

David H Morgan

Miranda Head

Brad Head

Courtney Hay

Braver Than Brain Cancer: Gracie’s Story

Braver Than Brain Cancer: Gracie’s Story

Still $9,556 to go. Help us build momentum.