Facing the Impossible: A Family's Journey with Alex

Last weekend, in just 24 hours, everything in our lives changed forever. My incredible nephew, Alex, was diagnosed with an incurable, aggressive brain tumor growing within his brainstem, spreading through the surrounding tissue in ways we can’t fully comprehend. The news from the neurologist was nothing short of heartbreaking—Alex has only 1 to 3 months to live, with 3 months being the most hopeful estimate. As a family, they made the difficult decision to focus on giving Alex the best quality of life in the time he has left, trying to keep things as normal and joyful as possible for him.

Alex has always been such an independent spirit, despite living with Fragile X Syndrome, an intellectual disability that hasn’t slowed him down one bit. He’s created his own world, one where he helps others, builds birdhouses for the people he loves, and loses himself in the music videos of his favorite bands, like The Beatles and The Eagles. One of his greatest joys is riding his bike and taking the Max to the Portland Zoo, where he could spend hours sitting with his favorite animals—the elephants. They were his peace, his friends, and a place where he could feel calm and connected.

Music has always been Alex's heart and soul. He taught himself to play the drums just by watching music videos—his love for rhythm and sound is so pure. He has jammed with his dad's family, and they've enjoyed countless bike rides together. Alex has always loved his family traditions, whether it was traveling to Crescent Lake, the Oregon Coast, or spending time with his cousins during the holidays. His mom, Karen, gave him the freedom to be independent while always ensuring he had the support he needed to thrive. She put him in an inclusive educational setting, and later, in a living situation where he could truly flourish as an adult. Watching him grow from that little boy into the amazing man he is today has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

But there is one person Alex loves above all else—his little sister, Zoe. The bond they share is unbreakable. They have made the journey through life with the ups and downs but no matter what, they always manage to laugh and find joy in each other’s company. Alex's favorite way to show love is with a playful “You’re fired!”—his quirky way of saying, “I care about you.”

The GoFundMe has been created to help Karen, Greg, and Zoe focus all their energy on being with Alex during his final months, surrounded by the love of their community that they have built for Alex. It will allow them to make more special memories with him, plan for outings while he’s still able, and even dedicate a bench at the zoo in his honor. The funds will also help with 24-hour care when that time comes, and then with funeral expenses and a celebration of Alex’s incredible life.

Our family is shattered, and it’s hard to wrap our minds around this devastating reality. We’re struggling, and our hearts are breaking in ways I never thought possible. We are asking for your prayers—for peace, comfort, and strength to help us through the days ahead as we cherish every moment with Alex.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, support, and kindness during this unimaginably painful time. We are forever grateful.

With love and gratitude,

Alex’s Family