Donate to Help Nolan & Family

Late fall of 2015, our eight year old nephew was having problems with his balance, specifically on his left side. A trip to see a Chiropractor friend was the start of it all. She advised Gillian to take her son right into the IWK, this was not normal. After many tests and scans, the results were in, and no one could have prepared us for the answer. He had a grade 3 malignant brain tumor, the size of a navel orange, in his frontal lobe. They had to operate right away.

(Above Photo is Nolan's first MRI scan November 6,2015)

The doctors at the IWK had determined that the tumor was Anaplastic Ependymoma. This is a fast-growing cancer tumor often in the base of the brain and rarely in the spinal cord. It tends to spread into nearby parts of the brain and can spread to other parts of the brain through the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). These tumors tend to come back (recur) after treatment.

Nolan Gerald is our nephew, a wonderful, silly, kind and smart young man. He went through 34 rounds of radiation after that surgery. He recovered well. He was back to being a kid again. He had even received a trip of a lifetime to travel to California to see LEGOland with the Children's Wish foundation.

Unfortunately in 2021, when Nolan was 14, he was having similar symptoms as before. He had been having regular MRI scans every 6 months. And the last one has shown no problems! His mom, Gillian, knew Nolan’s cancer was back. Not only was it back, it had metastasized as well. The one in his frontal lobe was back, along with a new one that had formed between his brain stem and cerebellum. These surgeries were much more difficult and came with a lot more risks. Once they were confident they removed what they could, he continued with another 37 rounds of radiation. These treatments were stronger than the previous. They came with a lot of long lasting side effects.

Getting ready for his radiations treatments, this is a new mask it covers his shoulders as well. This is so they can target his brain stem where the new tumor is. He is bolted to a table so he does not move.

Nolan, Post Surgery 2021

Nolan with his Radiation mask 2021 (Old mask)

Within the following year, the tumors showed growth again. Radiation treatments were no longer an option. The Doctors at the IWK surgically removed the tumors in hopes that soon a clinical trial would be available.

Nolan Post Surgery 2023

Nolan and his little cousin Keelan 2023 Both struggling and supporting each other. Keelan was fighting bone cancer.

Another year later and they have slowly returned. There are now three tumors, a new one has appeared in a different spot of his frontal lobe.

Late this summer we found out that a clinical trial is being performed at the Sick Kids Hospital in conjunction with the Texas Children's Hospital. The trial is CAR T cell immunotherapy. This has had promising results with solid mass cancers and blood cancers.

With crossed fingers, Nolan’s doctors reached out to them to see if Nolan’s tumors qualify for this clinical trial.

Nolan has been accepted!

While this is wonderful news for Nolan and his family. This trial will include lots of back and forth traveling for him and his mom. Nolan will also have to undergo chemo before he can start the immunotherapy. The longest treatment period will be 8 weeks. Nolan will be in the Sick Kids hospital during the holidays, away from his little brother and sister.

It is our greatest wish to help Gillian, Brad, Cole and Sidney with their expenses while Nolan is in this clinical trial. Once the trial is complete he will be coming home to have the newest tumor removed along with more radiation treatments at the IWK.

This is a long road for Nolan and his family, please help us make it a little easier for them all.

With love,

Jennifer, Ashley & Caitlin