Gavin Blake Mitchell

This is Gavin. Gavin is my nephew. In January of this year, Gavin was given the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer, synovial cell sarcoma, at the young age of 19. Around May of last year, Gavin was helping a coworker lift a heavy tray of dishes that fell and injured his arm. After several months of pain, Gavin went to his Dr, who X-rayed his arm and told him it was only torn muscle and to rest it so it could heal. After many more months of pain and swelling, Gavin went back and was sent for more testing. After ultrasound, MRI, pet scan, needle biopsy, celebrating benign results from the needle biopsy, then conflicting results from a surgical biopsy, it was determined that it was in fact a malignant soft tissue tumor in his right tricep. CANCER! Gavin was immediately set up with a team of specialists through Levine Cancer institute in Charlotte that specialize in sarcomas, and quickly began treatment. Gavin’s treatment has been very aggressive and has so far included 2 surgeries, 6 rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, and 25 sessions of radiation. In such a short time so much was taken from Gavin. Gavin was attending College, which he had to put on hold. Gavin was working a job he loved at Starbucks, which he could no longer work because of his weakened immune system and aggressive treatment schedule. Gavin had just gotten an apartment that he had to give up due to financial strain. And that hair! Gavin’s attitude through everything has been tremendous! He 100% plans on beating this thing, and getting back to his life before cancer! Gavin is an extremely hard worker, accomplished writer, and aspiring college professor of English/Literature. Gavin’s family is doing all they can to provide him with support, but the travel expenses alone, and time away from work have been quite difficult. Financially there is only so much they can do. Now, Gavin faces the hardship, as a young adult, of being responsible for the financial burden Cancer puts on a person. Gavin is not out of the woods yet, and still has more chemo to go, several surgeries, and recovery before he can be past all of this. We are reaching out to family and friends, and anyone who knows the struggles of funding such a life changing illness, to find it in your hearts to do anything you can to help Gavin! A sweet friend from high school did a fundraiser for Gavin that capped at $500, and was met overnight! We are so thankful and appreciative, but it barely made a dent in what Gavin will need to cover what he owes back financially. If there is anything you can spare to help ease the financial burden of this young man, we will be forever grateful. If all you have are prayers, we will gladly take every one!!