#CamdenStrong

The Carter Family has been very strong while dealing with an extremely difficult situation. 14 of every 1 million children younger than 15 years of age are diagnosed with a brain tumor called a Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma. Unfortunately, their then 3 year old son Camden was one of those 14. Camden experienced delays in motor and speech abilities as a 2 and 3 year old. After taking him to therapy for 8-10 months with minimal improvement, a massive brain tumor was found after an MRI in early December 2018. The surgical team at Levine Children's Hospital performed a Craniotomy and were able to remove roughly 30-40% of the tumor on the right and front side of his head. The Carters spent many days/weeks seeing countless doctors, therapists and specialists. The plan was always to operate on the tumor over at least two separate stages. Camden attended speech, occupational, and physical therapy 3-4 times a week from January through early March 2019, at which point a second surgery was done. Camden's surgical team was able to remove 80% of the remaining mass, but there is still tumor remaining that was too difficult to go after due to being in a high risk location. Camden will continue to attend speech, occupational, and physical therapy weekly for the foreseeable future and endures fully sedated MRIs every few months to monitor his brain.

The funds raised will be used for multiple weekly therapy sessions, future expenses for regular continued scanning and future medical bills they may face. Please help me in providing Camden the best possible future by donating to the #CamdenStrong GoFundMe page at the link provided. 100% of the funds raised will provide critical help for the ongoing recovery of Camden. Cam is a driving force for my upcoming participation in the 2019 Chicago Marathon. He is an inspiration and continues to fight each day on the road to recovery!!#CAMDENSTRONG