Donna's Journey with Gliosarcoma

In March 2025, our family began a journey we never expected. Donna, our loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, received a diagnosis of gliosarcoma, a rare and extremely aggressive form of brain cancer.

Everything started with small signs. Donna began making punctuation mistakes and typos that were unlike her. Soon after, she lost movement in her left arm and struggled to keep her balance. Her symptoms resembled a stroke, but doctors could not provide a clear explanation right away.

After several months of appointments and continued decline, Donna went to the emergency room at Northside Forsyth Hospital. A CT scan revealed a large tumor on the right side of her brain. An MRI confirmed two additional tumors near her frontal lobe. Just a few days later, Donna underwent surgery to remove the largest tumor. During the procedure, doctors could not confirm whether the tumor was cancerous, and they opted not to remove all of it.

Initial pathology reports gave us a glimmer of hope. However, one week later, the cancer diagnosis arrived. It was a malignant primary brain tumor. While doctors debated whether it was glioblastoma multiforme or melanoma-related, they recommended a second surgery to remove more of the remaining mass. Donna bravely moved forward with the procedure. At this point the biopsy had been sent off to a tertiary specialist at Emory University and the final diagnosis of gliosarcoma was given.

Donna underwent chemotherapy and radiation, completing treatment by July 2nd, 2025. She was able to return home on July 23rd. However, just four days later, on July 27th, she was readmitted to the hospital. The cancer and treatments had left her body deeply weakened. Her left side had grown too weak, and her gag reflex was no longer protecting her from fluid and food slipping into her lungs. Her white blood cell count did not recover, and she was exhausted from months of treatment.

The doctors explained that, even if she recovered from this one, the cancer would have progressed further. Moving forward would have meant 100% full-time care, with a feeding tube, tracheostomy, and IV fluids exclusively. They did not believe recovery was possible. With heavy hearts, we had to face the reality that Donna’s journey with gliosarcoma was coming to an end.

Why We Are Asking for Support

We are doing everything we can, but we now need help with the financial burdens that come with end-of-life care and this painful transition. Donna’s passing has left our family with immediate expenses and the need for stability in the months ahead.

Your support will help cover:

Our goal is to honor Donna’s memory by carrying her love, strength, and generosity forward, while also ensuring that our family has the support we need during this time of grief and transition.

Who Donna Is

Donna was the foundation of our family. She brought warmth, wit, generosity, and strength to everything she did. She supported so many people through difficult times, never asking for anything in return. Even as she faced her own illness, she continued to think of others first, offering love and humor to those around her.

How You Can Help

If you are able to contribute, thank you. Every gift, large or small, makes a real difference. Your generosity allows us to focus on what matters most: honoring Donna’s memory and supporting her family during this transition.

If you cannot give right now, please consider sharing this fundraiser with others. Even a simple share can reach someone who is able to help.

We are walking this path without Donna’s physical presence now, but her spirit and love remain with us. Your kindness reminds us that we are not walking it alone.

With heartfelt thanks,

Donna’s Family

John "J.R." Morton and Tessa Battles

Daniel Gentry Morton, Bre Morton, and Finn Gentry Morton