On September 24th, my dear friend Vanessa and her family lived every parent's worst nightmare. After rushing their almost 3 year old son Ezra to the ER in Reno after he complained of back pains and blood in the urine, an ultrasound image showed a large mass on his left kidney.  Although the ER Doc had no real confirmation, in a few minutes he summed up what this family would eventually endure over the next few days, and coming weeks and months.  A very rare kidney cancer, called Wilms Tumor (stage 3) would need to be surgically removed along with his left kidney and Ezra would require chemotherapy and radiation immediately.  

The following hours and days were a rollercoaster as Vanessa, her husband Mike and mother Sybil (Nana), gathered their things and drove Ezra to Oakland’s Childrens Hospital only five hours after receiving the news.  Sweet Ezra endured days of pokes, tests, scans and eventually surgery.  The whole time this family, especially Ezra, stayed positive and strong for they knew that was how everyone would survive the scariest week of their lives.

Ezra, the “tough guy” that he is, recovered remarkably well and fast and was able to give his dad Mike the best birthday present; the gift to go home.  On Saturday, October 1st (6 days after arriving in Oakland) the Robertson’s, returned to their home in Reno.  Love, prayers and pure positivity sent from all over the world, welcomed this family home to begin the healing process. Ezra will undergo a week of radiation and weekly chemotherapy over the next 6 months but with continued strength and love, his prognosis is a 95% full recovery/ no remission!!


Vanessa and Mike want to give Ezra the best fighting chance at the quickest recovery and in order to do this, Vanessa and Mike will be working a lot less so they can stay home and keep Ezra away from all the winter germs approaching. This fund will help with Ezra’s out of pocket medical costs (fortunately the family does have good insurance) and allow this family to focus on what matters most in life without worrying as much about  mortgages, bills and childcare.

Any amount will help this family, and especially little Ezra, get through the long road to recovery.  Thank you for taking the time to read their story.  For regular updates, you can visit their caring bridge site here: Caring Bridge