Our 22-year-old son, Caden, is in the fight of his life. What started out last summer as a case of blurry vision turned very quickly into every parent’s nightmare: a cancer diagnosis. A rare form of cancer, choroidal melanoma, had detached his left retina. While the disease affects only about 2,500 people a year, usually among older adults, Caden was one of the unlucky ones. Two surgeries were performed in September, one to place a radiotherapy plaque on the tumor behind his left eye, and another to remove the plaque.

The initial prognosis was good, but tragically, the cancer metastasized by February. He now has more than 30 lesions in his liver and spent 10 days that month in the hospital waging a courageous battle just to stay alive, including radiation to the most painful lesions. He now goes to immunotherapy visits every 3 weeks, along with numerous scans, blood draws, and follow-up visits. Last month, the doctors detected a new lesion on his sternum, requiring more radiation treatments. Throughout this, Caden remains strong and determined, despite the physical and mental toll.

We are doing everything we can to make sure he receives the best care possible, but the financial impact is significant. Our fundraising goal reflects the cost of advanced cancer treatments at USC Norris Cancer Center, which is over 2 hours from Caden’s home. The distance requires frequent long car trips, occasional hotel stays, and significant time away from work, on top of medical expenses not covered by insurance. Every donation helps us stay by Caden’s side and give him the best chance of healing.

Whether you donate or simply share this page, your generosity means more than words can express. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.