Help Our Sommer Beat Childhood Cancer

Hello, we are Jess and Ryan, the proud parents of our beautiful 9-month-old daughter, Sommer. Sommer came into our lives in January 2024, bringing us immense joy after a heartbreaking loss just a year prior. Though her early days included a brief stay in the special care nursery, Sommer has been a radiant blessing, lighting up our lives with her smiles and meeting milestones ahead of schedule.

However, everything changed when Sommer began showing signs of distress at just 8 months old. Initially thought to be a mild illness, we pushed for further investigation that revealed a mass in her chest. After a rushed transfer to The Royal Children's Hospital, Sommer underwent a biopsy, and we received the devastating news: she was diagnosed with Anaplastic Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Compounding this, tests showed she has a TP53 mutation, indicating Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, which makes her case even more complex.

Sommer has undergone major surgery to remove the mass and is now starting chemotherapy, which will consist of nine cycles. After chemotherapy, she will also need maintenance chemotherapy and possibly radiotherapy, making this journey even more challenging. We are aware of the significant impact that treatment can have on her developing body, and we are committed to doing everything we can to support her.

We have started this GoFundMe to help with travel expenses to the hospital, ongoing medical costs, and daily living expenses. Your generous support will allow us to focus entirely on Sommer’s health and well-being and help us keep her siblings close during this trying time.

We also aim to raise awareness about rare childhood cancers, ensuring families facing similar challenges know they are not alone.

Thank you for your kindness and support. It means the world to us as we remain hopeful for Sommer’s future while preparing for the uncertainties that lie ahead.