On January 10th, Callie went to the doctor to get her eye checked for a possible lazy eye. What turned out to be something so small turned into Callie having a CT scan that led to an MRI for further testing. After a long night, doctors confirmed the diagnosis of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a tumor in her brain stem. She also has Chari Malformation and a Syrinx. DIPG is a highly aggressive type of brain tumor. DIPG accounts for 10% of all childhood central nervous system tumors. Callie is one of approximately 300 children in the U.S. diagnosed with DIPG each year. Surgery is not an option for DIPG patients due to its location in the brain stem. This week, they will meet with the Oncology team to determine the best treatment plan.

Callie’s smile has remained through all of this. She is a bright, spunky five-year-old loving little girl who gives the best hugs! She loves spending time with her little brother, family, and friends. Callie enjoys gymnastic classes, attending church, going to school, playing with friends, singing songs, and expressing herself creatively through making cards and coloring.

This will be financially challenging as Joey and Stephanie choose the right treatment path and make the necessary decisions for Callie. We want to help Callie remain strong and take the financial burden off this family as they travel and incur medical costs not covered. Time away from work will put a financial strain on them. We do not have an exact price, but all indications are that the costs will be high. All funds will be used directly for loss of work, travel expenses, complementary therapies and medical costs not covered, food, and accommodations to help relieve everyday hardships.

Please keep sweet and loving Callie, her parents, her younger brother, and their extended family in your prayers. If you feel led to donate, please know that no matter the donation amount, every penny is a blessing, and we thank you for your continued love and support. All donations are being sent to the Callie Weatherford Fund C/O First Reliance Bank.

To know Callie is to love her! We serve an awesome, miracle-working God and believe in the power of prayer.

“For Nothing will be impossible with God” Luke 1:37

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