On April 20, 2026, our 17-year-old son Charlie was diagnosed with moyamoya after suffering headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and troubling neurological symptoms for several months — and after two undetected strokes.

Moyamoya is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disease that causes narrowing and blockage of the arteries at the base of the brain. As blood flow decreases, the body forms tiny compensating blood vessels that look like “puffs of smoke” on imaging — that’s what moyamoya means in Japanese. Without treatment, Charlie’s stroke risk exceeds 90%. With surgery, that risk drops to 4%.

Charlie will undergo indirect revascularization at Boston Children’s Hospital — the leading pediatric moyamoya center in the country. This procedure repositions facial arteries onto the brain, allowing new vessels to grow over 3–6 months. Because we live in Alaska, where specialists for this rare disease simply don’t exist, traveling to Boston is not optional — it’s necessary.

Time is critical. Surgery is scheduled for May 8.

Charlie’s surgery is covered by insurance. What we need help with is getting there — flights for up to four family members (~$1,000/ticket), car rental, lodging, and meals for six days in Boston.

While we navigate this, Charlie has already lost so much. He had to stop working as a barista. He had to quit playing trumpet because of the pressure it causes in his head. He left his climbing team of nearly four years. He ended his junior year early. He may not be able to serve as a camp counselor this summer. Moyamoya has taken a lot from him — but we are fighting to get him back.

Every dollar contributed goes directly toward getting Charlie to the care he needs.

We are so grateful for your love and support.

— The Banning Family