Our sweet little Aurora Dawn, my twin sister’s child, was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, or LCH. LCH is a cancer that causes the body to grow dendritic cells and results in a tumor that needs to be treated with surgery, injections, and, almost always, chemo. Unfortunately, the location of Aurora's tumor makes surgical intervention nearly impossible.

Aurora is five years old. Thankfully, her cancer is highly treatable and has mostly excellent health outcomes.

Aurora’s tumor is lodged in her L1 vertebrae, affecting her ability to walk, her mobility, and causing unbearable pain that only powerful painkillers have been able to mildly alleviate. Unfortunately, her LCH appears to be aggressive and her symptoms have been getting worse each day. At this time, it is localized to her spine.

The phenomenal team at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital took care of Aurora after scans in Marquette first revealed the mass on November 16th. She received her first round of steroidal treatment at DeVos, and will be receiving subsequent treatments at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital (the best children's hospital in the country).

My twin’s other two children - Evelyn (7) and Eli (4), are currently at home with Aurora and Eli’s dad/Evelyn’s stepdad, Michael, who got home a couple days after Aurora's diagnosis from a nearly year-long deployment to the Middle East. Thankfully, he, my family and his family will be able to make do in the interim.

I’m raising funds for Aurora and her parents to help offset medical bills, travel expenses, emergency repairs to Abby’s vehicle, defray costs of two parents who are unable to work for the foreseeable future, and any other unexpected expenses my sister and her family endure until we get the “all clear” from Aurora’s team.

I know uncles aren’t suppose to have favorites, but with her little giggle that is equal parts joy and mischief, she’s not not my favorite. Aurora has been extraordinarily tough throughout this entire ordeal, and feels all the love and support that everyone has been providing.

However, Aurora, Abby, and Michael also require support of a different kind, and I implore you to take a second to share this campaign and, if you’re able, support them financially during this difficult time.