Fighting with Liam

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

"I have a thousand mustard seeds of faith.” – Liam Patrick James Day

12-year-old Liam Day and his family continue to weather an incredibly difficult season since his cancer diagnosis in June of 2022. For months, Liam has battled an extremely rare and aggressive Ewing-like sarcoma—a large, inoperable tumor in his pelvis (which he named “Goliath”) as well as cancer nodules in his lungs “too numerous to count.” Liam has withstood 26 chemotherapy treatments, 32 rounds of proton therapy (radiation), countless hospital stays, ER visits, clinic appointments, medications, needle pokes, immeasurable days of pain and discomfort, and the emotional toll of fighting cancer.

Nearly ten months after his diagnosis and in the wake of intense, aggressive chemotherapy treatments that were not as successful as hoped, Liam faces an upcoming clinical trial as his next course of treatment. This clinical trial will take Liam back to Seattle for a five-week stay.

The financial toll cancer takes on a family is stark and unforgiving. Time spent at hospital stays, treatments, doctor appointments, and caregiving at home equates to a cataclysmic loss of income. The safety nets we often turn to under normal circumstances—credit cards, paid leave from work, etc—are tapped out or dwindling for Liam’s family. Liam’s stepfather has run out of paid leave completely, and the unavoidable additional time off will have to be unpaid.

Liam and his family have witnessed their community rally around them with immeasurable gratitude. The uplifting support and prayers they have received have been immense and awe-inspiring. After months of facing cancer and all its physical, emotional, and financial costs, it is time to expand the reach of Liam’s story and grow the family’s community of support. We want Liam to fight each day knowing he has an army battling alongside him as he defeats his Goliath. Let’s expand Team Liam!

It is truly difficult to put into words just how deeply your support impacts Liam and his family. Any amount donated is a spark of light in the darkest time this family has known; every dollar is a small sigh of relief in a breathless, overwhelmingly stressful time.

It is my hope that with this GoFundMe, we can take away some of the stresses for Liam and his family, so they may focus on the continuing battle and—most importantly—on each other.

Read more about Liam’s ongoing story on Caring Bridge:

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/liamday

Connect with Heather for updates on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/fighting_withliam

A bit about Liam: Those who love Liam and whose lives have been touched by the warmth of his special, one-of-a-kind light are filled with unrelenting hope. For years, Liam’s big sense of humor and even bigger heart have brought joy and laughter to countless members of his school, church, and community. His charismatic nature and infectious zest for life leave a lasting impact on everyone he meets. Liam is loved by peers and teachers alike at Evergreen Christian School, where he especially enjoys participating in basketball, track, and any sport you can play at recess. Outside of the classroom, Liam is a big Marvel fan ( Black Panther is his favorite.) He also loves to read, especially the I Survived book series—some of which he has read five or six times!

Liam is an amazing, fun-loving, affectionate brother to his older sister Lilah and younger sister Aurora. He and his family are active assets in their community, sharing their unwavering faith, strength, compassion, and resilience with everyone they meet.

(About the Organizer: My name is Shelby Tapp. I have known and loved Liam and his family since 2017 when I became their nanny. My time spent with them became some of the most special and rewarding moments of my life, and they have remained dear to me ever since.)

Thank you to everyone supporting, praying, and Fighting with Liam!

Please consider sharing Liam’s story!