Brenner Braving Cancer
On October 3rd, 2017, Brenner Winston Babin, was born as the caboose to the Babin family. Being the youngest of 2 older brothers, he has brought into their family an energetic and goofy personality that is impossible to not bring a smile to anyone's face. He loves his two older brothers, Hunter and Handon, and although he is the youngest, he gives them a run for their money. He loves his bath time, playing dress up, Mickey Mouse (Ohhh toodles can be heard echoing throughout the house at midnight from his crib), playing outdoors, riding bikes, and he loves to give the sweetest cuddles. He is the perfect puzzle piece that parents Hannah and Brandon never even knew they were missing from their family.
Fast forward to 2020, the quarantine life has left Brandon and Hannah with few options of entertaining her group of boys. On May 18th, they decided to get out of the house and bring the boys to swimming lessons, as it was one of the few safe options for them to do. Little did they know, that would be the day that turned her family's life into a direction she could have never imagined. While Brenner was floating on his belly, they discovered a mass as he shifted his weight. They immediately sought care from his pediatrician where labs and a cat scan were performed. Imaging scans ultimately confirmed there was a mass about 4inches in his liver. After a long week of doctor appointments and many tests, on May 26th, Hannah and Brandon received news that confirmed their worst fear. A team of doctors at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA diagnosed Brenner with Hepatoblastoma. Hepatoblastoma is a very rare form of cancer that affects 1 in a million children, with only about 50-70 new cases a year diagnosed in the US. He now has a port (his "button") in place and has began his chemo journey.
Brenner has been a fairly healthy child up until this point. Other than some constipation issues, there were no real signs of any discerning medical issues at bay. At two years old, he should be enjoying his still very new life, but instead, Brenner is just beginning the fight for his life. A life that has replaced running barefoot in the dirt playing with his brothers with a constant cycle of chemo treatments, blood draws, imaging scans, and other medical interventions needed to combat this disease. There is no set in stone magical cure-all medical treatment available Hepatoblastoma. Everything is "lets try this course of action and pray for the best" type of scenario. After chemo, options go towards resection and transplant. 
What people do not see when they hear the word "cancer" is the financial burden that hit the family from all different aspects. The constant travel back and forth to the medical facility over an hour away, the cost of gas and food, the medications involved to help keep white blood cell counts up and nausea at bay, the endless things the insurance does not cover, the treatments and emergency room visits for all the complications that arise from chemo depleting the body of everything good it has to offer in order to kill the bad things that can bring life to an end. People also do not see how the financial burden increases while the household income decreases. Having a child with cancer means that there is now a demand to be a full-time parent available for the 24/7 needs. With a low immune system and decreased WBCs, no longer are the days where you can send your child off to daycare to be a normal kid and focus on school/work full-time.
Hannah and Brandon are trying to maintain as close to a normal life for Brenner as they possibly can to help him kick cancer's butt. They will have a rough road ahead of them, filled with many obstacles over the years to come trying to do everything they can to save their baby’s life. The emotional toll it will take is enough for any family to endure. My hope is that this page will help ease the financial stress they will face. Every little bit helps. The cost of a burger can make a big impact on saving this little guy's life. If there is no money to spare, then I ask this page reaches you in hopes of simply including him in your prayers and clicking the share button. That alone can carry its weight in gold.
If unable to make a contribution through here, Brenner has had a donation account set up with South Louisiana Bank in his name. Paypal/venmo accounts were also made to help with Brenner Brave shirt orders (found through his Brenner Brave facebook page). All avenues go directly towards accrued expenses for Brenner. He loves seeing all the different people wearing his shirts, so if you do purchase one please feel free to send him a picture!
Paypal: [email redacted]
Venmo: @brenner-Babin
Donation account: under Brenner Babin (tax id number available)
*Every child deserves a chance at life! Please help up show support by following Brenner's journey on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/293209231845099 #BrennerBrave