Where can I start? On July 21st, we got a call that no parent ever wants to receive. The doctor called and told us our son had cancer. Since then, he’s been through multiple surgeries to remove tumors and lymph nodes, and dozens of doctor visits and hospital stays. Unfortunately, we don’t have a firm diagnosis since it is such a rare cancer, which means they are planning to be broad and aggressive with treatment.

We plan to split treatment between Akron Children's Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. He has been positive through all of this and is an inspiration to our family. The support we’ve gotten has been tremendous from our churches, baseball team, family, friends, and employers. Even while it has been rough watching him miss out on so many things a 5-year-old should be able to do, like fall baseball, the first "official" day of kindergarten, and summer fun. Wade loves being outside, riding and driving our Kubota side-by-side, riding tractors, and fishing. He is an amazing, beautiful little boy who we want to be able to provide the best care for, as well as brighten his day whenever we can.

We’ve been blessed as a family in all aspects, but this has shaken us, and we are leaning on our faith, not our own understanding. Cancer can take so much from you and your family that we are only just starting to realize. Getting Wade well is our first and main priority, however, we also want to persevere his quality of life as well. Having the doctor come in and say that he may not be able to have children of his own was crushing and surreal to hear as a father knowing how much of an important element that is for our family. We are looking into persevering his fertility so when he is ready to have kids we are hoping we did our best as parents to give him that option.

This is for family expenses, unexpected expenses, traveling for care, Wade & Paige's (sister) comfort, future and fun, and any medical expenses not covered by insurance.

If you know someone that is more in need, we ask that you donate to their cause instead of ours or to your local church. We ask that if it is any burden at all to donate that you do NOT contribute. This is meant to serve as medium for those who have asked for an easy way to support Wade and our family.