Fight with Dylan - Help Dylan beat cancer

Dylan Jace De Castro is 4 years old. He is very bright, loving, full of fun and mischiefs. 

On June 9, 2021, just a day after his birthday. He was admitted to UCSF in Oakland, CA and was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma. What started as what we thought was constipation, loss of appetite, energy, and weight, ended up being the symptoms of the 11.5cm tumor growing on the right side of his abdomen.

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, with tumours often occurring in the adrenal glands or abdomen. This rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer affects approximately 800 children annually in the US.

Neuroblastoma is rare, but it’s the most common cancer in babies and almost always develops before age 5. 

At diagnosis, High Risk Neuroblastoma carries a relapse rate of 60%. If the disease were to come back it is even more challenging to treat successfully. Sadly, survival rates for those children who do relapse are low, less than 10%.

Initially, Dylan had a 11.5cm tumor on the right side of his abdomen which encompassed his right kidney and adrenal glands. 

To date, Dylan has had to endure 5 rounds of chemotherapy, surgical removal of the tumor, 1 high dose chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, multiple bone marrow aspirates, blood transfusions and other medical procedures , scans , feeding tubes, chest tubes etc.(all in the midst of a global pandemic).

Since diagnosis, Dylan’s life has changed drastically. A typical day involves blood pressure checks, medication, injections, blood tests and transfusions. He experienced pain & discomfort as well as all side effects usually associated with chemotherapy but he rarely complained. He really is a little trooper who takes each day and each new challenge in his stride. As parents we couldn’t be prouder of him.

Dylan loves stories, cracking corny jokes, and anything bright and colorful as according to

him his favorite color is the rainbow. His favorite stuffed toy currently is Pikachu. And his favorite superhero is the Black Panther or as he calls him “WAKANDA FOREVER.” 

Dylan shows unbelievable courage & strength of character everyday. His hearty laugh and smiley faces, have kept us all going through some difficult days. To us he really is the bravest and strongest little warrior and we couldn’t be more proud of Dylan.

Dylan has had the best medical care and most intensive treatment available in UCSF in Oakland, CA and has bravely fought every step of the way. He has received excellent care from his Oncologist and all the staff in UCSF. We will forever be grateful for their help and support as well as the care they have shown to Dylan and our family. 

With the pandemic, the hospital has visitation restrictions that’s made it very difficult for us parents to be 100% there and fully support Dylan emotionally. Only 2 people can stay to care for him during the day and only 1 can spend the night. With that, as he is a mum’s boy, we’ve decided that its best for mommy to stay with him full time and I work full time to make ends meet.

Since mum has stopped working, it has been a struggle to make ends meet on top of traveling to the hospital and work since we live about 1.5 hours away.

Consequently, we are fundraising to be able to keep up with the expenses as he goes through his treatments. The previous fundraiser raised almost $20,000 after the gofundme fees. It has helped us tremendously to make it through the past few months specially with the out of pocket insurance cost, deductibles, gas, groceries, etc. As 2021 ends and 2022 approaches, those insurance cost and deductibles resets once again. 

Dylan is now approaching last phase of his treatment plan in UCSF. In the next few days, he will be admitted for his last round of high dose chemotherapy, and another stem cell transplant right after. Once recovered, he will then start his rounds of radiation therapy and immunotherapy. 

Once this has been completed, his doctors suggest that Dylan be put on a maintenance medication for 2 years to help him stay in remission.

Although Dylan still has a tough battle ahead of him with several medical mountains to climb. We, as his parents are committed to giving him the very best chance to beat cancer once and for all. 

To all our families, friends,colleagues, and to everyone, your prayers and your continued support is greatly appreciated. And if you are able to share this campaign with your family, friends and colleagues, we would be very grateful.