Help AnnaMari Fight Brain Tumors

Our Needs

My 12 year old daughter AnnaMari will begin undergoing proton radiation treatments to help alleviate a tumor burden that has currently grown into both of her optic nerve canals, causing her to now be almost completely blind, and as well as around her brain stem threatening many vital functions. The treatments will be 5 days a week for 6 ½ weeks and we will have to move into the area of the treatment center for the duration of our time there.

It would mean so much to us if we were able to get our stay taken care of while we undergo treatment. We are working with a wonderful charity to secure affordable housing near the treatment center but we still have to pay for our time there. Any of the additional money raised once the cost of housing is covered will be used for travel, food, outstanding medical bills, and general living expenses.

This will likely become the first of many stays and operations AnnaMari will be undergoing this year, as she will need the tumor that was operated on in 2022 debulked again and likely having that area treated with proton radiation afterwards to prevent it from regrowing.

Any amount you could spare would go such a long way. I don’t take asking for anyone’s money lightly and I truly wouldn't be doing it if we were able to cover all of these expenses ourselves. From the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate all of you for your assistance.

AnnaMari’s Journey So Far

In December 2022 AnnaMari was rushed into emergency brain surgery to remove a softball sized brain tumor and was later diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a genetic disorder that causes over a dozen different types of noncancerous tumors to develop on any nerve in her body. She currently has multiple large and growing tumors located in inoperable areas of her brain, brain stem, and spinal cord. Additionally, she went blind in her right eye from the pressure caused by the tumor on her optic nerve and the same tumor as moved into her left optic nerve canal which has begun damaging the remaining vision she has.

Since then, our lives have become very chaotic and unpredictable. We are continuously faced with the seizure episodes, multiple doctor's appointments each month, frequent emergency hospital visits, clinic trials which yield no results, yet AnnaMari's determined attitude keeps her motivated and pushing forward with a smile.

While most 12 year old girls are worried about their homework, the cute boy at school, handling household chores, learning to do their make-up, and playing video games; AnnaMari faces challenges such as having to manage chronic back pain, debilitating headaches, accidents caused by going blind, the fear of looming brain surgeries, the risk of seizures during normal activities, and having to come to terms with her untreatable degenerative condition.

Just a week before Christmas last year AnnaMari’s Grandmother, her best friend, passed away following almost a year long fight recovering from a stroke. Annamari is the guiding light that has helped her family, in particular her Grandfather and younger sister, get through these difficult times with her unshakeable smile and loving hugs; all while dealing with her own struggles.

Despite all of this, AnnaMari is still a cheerful and humorous young lady who has dreams of being a standup comedian or business owner. She maintains a quality circle of friends, positive outlook on life, a happy-go-lucky attitude, loving relationship with her younger sister, and focuses tirelessly on getting good grades in school.

She is one of the bravest people I have ever met with an absolutely incredible spirit. I am blessed to be her father.

Thank you again to everyone who decides to help our family.