Conor's Fight
Conor Dean Sommer is a sweet, funny, loving 6 year old boy. He wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up. He has 2 sisters, Alice (5yrs) and Effie (9mos), whom he loves dearly. Conor has a sweet pup named Luna. He loves cookies, dinosaurs, and science. He can do cartwheels (he wants everyone to know that). He loves to play pranks on his friends and family. He is full of energy and charisma, and is loved so dearly by everyone he meets.
In October of 2016, he was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer, called undifferentiated CNS sarcoma, and since then has fought many tough battles for his life. He has had 11 serious surgeries, many of which were on his brain. His family at one point was told he would not make it. That in the unlikely chance he would come out of his coma, he would not be the same little boy that we have all come to love. That he would not be able to talk. But, Conor fought. He has defied every odd. After the initial removal of his brain tumor, he had multiple strokes and lost the mobility of his left side. He sees multiple physical and occupational therapists weekly, and works hard to regain the use of his left arm and leg. His spirit is yet to be broken. He truly believes he will get better, which gives all of us family and friends the strength to believe along with him.
Conor and his family have spent months in and out of hospitals, treatment centers, and physical therapy. During much of the time Conor has spent recovering from surgeries, he has stayed on the Pediatrics Intermediate Care Unit, as well as the Pediatrics Intensive Care, with his mother by his side always. There are so many kids on this floor whose parents could not be there with them, and it breaks her heart to see them, so she vowed to always have someone be there for Conor, so he would never be scared or alone. When Kelsie needs to go home to be with her two girls, his dad, Tyler is quick to take her place. The two of them have spent countless nights in the hospital with Conor.
This has been a long, hard fight against cancer for Conor and his loved ones. He spent two months in Winfield, IL undergoing proton radiation. His mother Kelsie was with him through everything. Every radiation session, every check up, every trip to the hospital - leaving behind a full time job. Since the diagnosis, she has worked only a handful of shifts to help pay the bills at home. She is a dedicated mother, who would do anything for her family. Having a sick child has taken its toll on her - mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. I am setting up this GoFundMe in hopes that with a little help from our friends, we can take some of the weight off.
With all of the chemo, radiation, and surgeries under his belt, the fight is not over yet. His family was recently informed that his chemo was not as effective as they had hoped, and that his cancer had spread. A new tumor has developed on his spine requiring yet another invasive surgery and more time away from home for radiation. The original chemo regimen and plan of care was not working. The doctors don't have very many good things to say about it, but his family remains optimistic. As well as Conor - as usual. He faces the day with a smile and a thumbs up. He doesn't think twice, he just fights. He never complains. Six years old and just rolling with the punches.
They have a very long, hard road ahead of them, so I am asking for any help you can muster, whether it be a donation or just a share to spread this sweet boy's story. Kelsie will be unable to work for the foreseeable future, and Conor's family is struggling and needs help to keep them afloat. Bills, food, rent, gas (for the long drives between Peoria and Winfield), and many other expenses - they add up so quickly for a traveling family of 5. Thank you so much in advance for any donation, and for taking the time to read this. Please keep Conor Dean in your thoughts.
