
Dino Cantale - A Superhero’s Fight
Donation protected
Dino is a bright, kind, loving, energetic 4-year-old with a passion for life and his favorite Superhero, Spider-Man. He loves hanging with his Mom, Dad and family, playing with his toys and playing outside. If you were to see Dino, you could not begin to imagine his struggles as the smile on his face hides the trouble brewing inside his fragile body. Dino Cantale is fighting a battle that no one should have to fight, especially a child. In May Dino was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a brain cancer that develops in about 500 children per year. We remain hopeful that Dino will beat the odds and survive this ugly disease. If strength and courage are what it takes, he has that in spades.
In the fall of 2021, Dino began attending pre-school, making friends and enjoying learning new things like a normal 3-year-old. In May of 2022, he began saying he wasn’t feeling well, his balance seemed off and he would put his hands to the sides of his head complaining of it hurting. After just a few days of these types of symptoms, he began vomiting and his parents grew more concerned which prompted them to take him to the ER at Choc Children’s Hospital in Orange, CA to help determine what was causing the pain. After consulting with the doctor, it was determined that Dino need additional testing and an MRI was ordered. The MRI revealed his parents greatest fear, there was spinal fluid building up around his brain and he had a brain tumor. A drain was immediately placed in his head to relieve the pressure (cause for his headaches) and he was scheduled for emergency surgery the following morning. It was confirmed that the tumor was in fact cancerous, and it it was Medulloblastoma. Dino didn’t understand what was happening, he only knew he was scared and in a lot of pain. There was little his parents could do to help him understand why he had to be constantly poked and prodded, with endless blood draws, temperature checks, hooked up to all types of machines to monitor his vitals and he just couldn’t leave and go home to his own bed. After several weeks in the hospital, he was released only to return to the hospital after 1 week due to a spike in his temperature, so he was readmitted and in June he began the first of three chemo treatments and to have his stem cells harvested for a transplant. He also endured 3 blood transfusions. After a reassessment, it was determined that 3 additional treatments of chemo and another round of stem cells transplant was needed. This will give Dino the best chance to ensure the cancer won’t return. The next 3 months will be full of hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy and endless test to check on the possible side effects on his hearing, eyesight and potential damage to his vital organs.
While Dino is doing his part, we are doing our part to keep life as normal and happy as possible. There are the costs of keeping up with normal everyday expenses (rent, food, gas) and the mounting medical costs, which are taking a toll on his parents. As these expenses grow I am starting this GO FUND ME page in hope of eliminating a small amount of their worry and stress so they can concentrate on what really matters, getting their Super Hero back to fighting crime and enjoying the greatness of being 4 years old again.
As his Grandmother, it is devastating to watch not only what my precious Grandson is experiencing but also the stress and strain it is putting on my Son. It is never easy to watch someone you love hurt, but this seems especially hard because I know that there is little I can do help. So, this seems like a small contribution that I can do to help that the focus is on Dino getting through his fight to grow up to live a happy, healthy life. We are so grateful for you taking the time to read out story. Anything you can do to assist in our journey in getting Dino back to his Superhero status will be greatly appreciated. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers as well as your donations to assist with mounting medical expenses. Please know that we will be forever grateful for your assistance. I will be updating this page with information on Dino’s journey. I hope that one day I will be able to let you know that he is cancer free and has been able to resume all normal activities. Dino is our Superhero!
Organizer and beneficiary
Denise Sanchez
Organizer
Calkins, OR
John Cantale
Beneficiary