Help Summer Tran live another day

Summer Tran is a sweet, carefree and loving 17-year-old girl. She loves spending time with her family and friends and enjoying life as a teenager. In August 2019, Summer started having trouble sleeping, increased fatigue, and constant headaches. She was also not experiencing the same growth spurt as all her friends . Her mother took her to the doctor, and Summer was later diagnosed on her birthday August 26, 2019 at the age of 14 with craniopharyngioma, a rare noncancerous (benign) brain tumor. The tumor was the cause of her symptoms and slow growth. After the diagnosis, her life changed. She no longer lived a carefree life as it consisted of multiple doctor visits, blood work, and exams. Summer underwent radiation therapy when she turned 15.

On March 14, 2022, Summer's MRI showed the tumor had increased in size. The decision was made to undergo surgery since she failed radiation therapy. Summer had surgery on 09/08/2022, through a minimally invasive approach, transphenoidal procedure (through the nose). Despite many efforts by the neurosurgeon, the tumor could not be entirely removed due to bleeding; the procedure had to be stopped. There is still 10-15% residual tumor.

After surgery, she was expected to wake up within 45 minutes or so. However, 7 hours later, Summer was still not waking up. She had suffered a small thalamic stroke. Summer is now in a coma. The events have led the doctors to decide against further surgical interventions until she completely recovers. Now we wait for Summer to regain consciousness.

We are uncertain when Summer will wake up and smile at us again, but we know she is a fighter. We are hoping she has the opportunity to live a normal life, attend college and pursue her dreams of being a pharmacist.

Her parents are taking time away from work to be at her bedside day and night for the day she opens her eyes. Nevertheless, this has incurred an emotional and financial burden on the family.

We ask for prayers and contributions for Summer to make a full recovery. Any support will go a long way during this difficult time.