So much gratitude for all the love over the last DECADE! Holmes has been bravely facing his brain tumor for 10 years come June. May 3rd he CELEBRATES turning 15 years old, such a blessing to us! We were devastated when he was diagnosed at age five and given a five year average lifespan survival. We have held on while he wows us with his resilience, perseverance, and humbleness. He is the last one to make a big deal out of his brain tumor. He quietly powers through, and only makes a ‘big to-do’ when he steps up to advocate and be a difference maker in the world of pediatric cancer and childhood brain tumor awareness. We are SO proud of him and SO thankful he keeps defying odds! We are also keenly aware that we must monitor his tumor and its side effects. While we are super hopeful, we are not naive. He is not out of the woods… his tumor is still there, deeply rooted and diffused in the center of his brain, unable to be removed. Deep breaths.

There has been much progress over the last ten years in medical advances and targeted therapies, and we have been dedicated to raising awareness and funds to go towards finding better treatments. Our perspective shifted with his diagnosis as did our personal mission. We have successfully turned pain into purpose, and we are proud of our efforts. Together as ‘Holmes Team’ and an ‘Army of Love’ we have raised over $100,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the Children’s Brain Tumor Tissue Consortium, Dragon Master, St. Baldricks, Vs. Cancer, Angel Flight Soars, Make a Wish, and there was even a massive toy drive for Mission Pediatric Oncology. This work will be our forever work. Love heals.

We have at least ten more years of closely monitoring his tumor and the side effects. If a child survives into their mid-20s, often pediatric brain tumors can become dormant, and we will only have to worry about the late effects. For now, our worry still lingers, as do the medical bills. The bills for insurance, MRIs, neuro-oncology check ups, specialists appointments, labs, medications, testing, travel costs, and missed work / school continue to pile up every year. It’s a lot.

Please know it goes without saying that we are lucky. We would rather have Holmes with us, and have all these bills, ANY DAY-ALL DAY, than the alternative. The price these kids pay is truly unfair. The ‘financial price tag’ on an inoperable brain tumor is also unfair, even with great health insurance. The cost of cancer or ANY chronic disease/illness is unbelievable. We are well aware that we unfortunately have so much company in this alter universe…and we see you too. We realistically and emotionally could not have come this far without the loving support from so many over the past 10 years.

For Holmes’ birthday this year, which also is during Brain Tumor Awareness Month, I am creating this Go Fund Me, and every penny added will go into his medical account to help him keep fighting the good fight. He is a humble warrior…a FIFTEEN YEAR OLD humble warrior!! He has lived 2/3 of his life battling and kicking cancer’s backside. Our family has likely loved harder because of it. For that we are unabashedly grateful. Compassion and empathy have flooded our hearts and our outlook. Love Heals. Never Ever Give Up. All Shall Be Well. Thank you for keeping that hope alive and thriving, just like this amazing soul and kid!!!

Go Gray In May and a Happy 15th Birthday to our true son-light, our inspiring, strong, kind, hilarious Holmes! May we celebrate you day after day, and every May!

☀️️❤️️⚾️