Help fund treatment for Jawad
Donation protected
My name is Summar Hussein and I, with a heavy heart am creating this page in hopes of helping my sweet 6 year old nephew Jawad.
Jawad is a bright, energetic, witty and intelligent boy. He’s the light of our family and is loved by everyone he meets. You can always find him either reading or playing sports, and he is a die hard Boston Red Sox fan! Jawad loves spending time at the library and playing with his 3 older siblings. Since the day he was born, one of Jawad’s most admired physical traits were his eyes. Everyone who knows him will attest to this. Ironically enough, he is being tested with that same vital organ.
About 2 months ago, my sister Nancy Hussein noticed that he was not making proper eye contact, he wasn't focusing properly. She scheduled him for an eye exam but appointments were so far out. As the days passed he was no longer interested in going to the library to read, or picking up a book before bed to read with his mom. He mentioned a few times that everything was black. His overall activity decreased. He was never one to miss a chance of being outdoors but he was showing more and more disinterest in everything he loved doing. The day of his eye exam finally came and he went in with high spirits and good hopes.
Immediately upon exam, his right eye had no activity. It was not responding to light or movement. He was completely blind in his right eye. Further examination by ultrasound showed white spots covering his retina. This was enough to have him scheduled for an emergent sedated MRI. Before being put to sleep for his exam, he told his mom that he was excited because this would be the best nap ever! And that when he wakes up he can’t wait to give her a big hug.
On July 3, 2018 Jawad was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. This is a rare form of cancer that affects young children. About 300 children in America are diagnosed with Retinoblastoma each year. It can be caused by a rare genetic or congenital mutation in the chromosome 13 gene. The MRI showed several seed-like tumors starting around his optic nerve and around his retina. With the location of these tumors being so critical, it is impossible to remove them and restore his vision. Retinoblastoma has a high curability rate but only after the child loses the affected eye. This is done to remove the cancer with hopes that it does not spread to any other parts of his body.
His treatment plan will begin with targeted intra-arterial melphalan chemotherapy. This will be targeted to his right eye and will be done for 3 months. This will be done to reduce the size of the tumors to make his surgery easier. Since this intra -arterial treatment is not offered in Texas where he resides, he will be traveling to Philadelphia to receive the treatment.
The next step will be the Enucleation which is the removal of the eye. After that he will be fitted with a prosthetic eye which will need to be changed every so often has he grows.
We are hopeful that Jawad can be treated completely and become cancer free as soon as possible. Knowing that, being able to provide him with the best treatment available for him will put an intense amount of financial strain on our family.
In Arabic, Jawad means “Generous”. We are kindly asking you to honor his name and open up your hearts to Jawad and donate generously. All funds will go towards treatment that isn’t even partially covered by insurance and to allow his father to take time off work to accompany Jawad to his appointments and provide the support he needs on this difficult journey. Donations will also be used to help cover travel expenses for the time spent in Philadelphia receiving chemotherapy. Even the smallest amount will make a difference. Most importantly, we ask for your sincere prayers for his fast healing and that God makes this journey light on him and his family.
Thank you.


Jawad is a bright, energetic, witty and intelligent boy. He’s the light of our family and is loved by everyone he meets. You can always find him either reading or playing sports, and he is a die hard Boston Red Sox fan! Jawad loves spending time at the library and playing with his 3 older siblings. Since the day he was born, one of Jawad’s most admired physical traits were his eyes. Everyone who knows him will attest to this. Ironically enough, he is being tested with that same vital organ.
About 2 months ago, my sister Nancy Hussein noticed that he was not making proper eye contact, he wasn't focusing properly. She scheduled him for an eye exam but appointments were so far out. As the days passed he was no longer interested in going to the library to read, or picking up a book before bed to read with his mom. He mentioned a few times that everything was black. His overall activity decreased. He was never one to miss a chance of being outdoors but he was showing more and more disinterest in everything he loved doing. The day of his eye exam finally came and he went in with high spirits and good hopes.
Immediately upon exam, his right eye had no activity. It was not responding to light or movement. He was completely blind in his right eye. Further examination by ultrasound showed white spots covering his retina. This was enough to have him scheduled for an emergent sedated MRI. Before being put to sleep for his exam, he told his mom that he was excited because this would be the best nap ever! And that when he wakes up he can’t wait to give her a big hug.
On July 3, 2018 Jawad was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. This is a rare form of cancer that affects young children. About 300 children in America are diagnosed with Retinoblastoma each year. It can be caused by a rare genetic or congenital mutation in the chromosome 13 gene. The MRI showed several seed-like tumors starting around his optic nerve and around his retina. With the location of these tumors being so critical, it is impossible to remove them and restore his vision. Retinoblastoma has a high curability rate but only after the child loses the affected eye. This is done to remove the cancer with hopes that it does not spread to any other parts of his body.
His treatment plan will begin with targeted intra-arterial melphalan chemotherapy. This will be targeted to his right eye and will be done for 3 months. This will be done to reduce the size of the tumors to make his surgery easier. Since this intra -arterial treatment is not offered in Texas where he resides, he will be traveling to Philadelphia to receive the treatment.
The next step will be the Enucleation which is the removal of the eye. After that he will be fitted with a prosthetic eye which will need to be changed every so often has he grows.
We are hopeful that Jawad can be treated completely and become cancer free as soon as possible. Knowing that, being able to provide him with the best treatment available for him will put an intense amount of financial strain on our family.
In Arabic, Jawad means “Generous”. We are kindly asking you to honor his name and open up your hearts to Jawad and donate generously. All funds will go towards treatment that isn’t even partially covered by insurance and to allow his father to take time off work to accompany Jawad to his appointments and provide the support he needs on this difficult journey. Donations will also be used to help cover travel expenses for the time spent in Philadelphia receiving chemotherapy. Even the smallest amount will make a difference. Most importantly, we ask for your sincere prayers for his fast healing and that God makes this journey light on him and his family.
Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Summer Huss Abu Amer
Organizer
Irving, TX
Nancy Hussein
Beneficiary
