Some may know AJ's story and some may not. Here is the story of a resilient 14-year-old that has an amazing spirit and testimony that no one would believe. AJ has substantial medical, travel, and personal expenses that have now caused a financial burden on our family. We are asking for help for AJ and we hope that your heart may be generous.
Our son Ayden is currently a post-cancer patient. AJ was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in October of 2022. He began treatment on Thanksgiving Day of 2022. During this time, we were made aware that Ayden’s cancer was in his right foot. Since the tumor had wrapped itself around his muscular and exoskeletal system, Ayden also lost most of his right foot. Radiation was not an option because, as the doctors stated, “it would fry his foot.”
Ayden’s hospital stay consisted of 6 days of inpatient stays (Monday-Saturday) and alternating weeks of 3-day stays (Monday-Thursday), totaling 19 days out of the month. While I was unable to work, I was able to take care of our son and our then 8-year-old daughter at the hospital while James maintained a full-time job and took care of the household.
In March of 2023, after 5 months of inpatient chemotherapy, Ayden had three-quarters of his right foot removed. Ayden continued chemotherapy until August 2023, when his chest access port was removed. He was restricted to crutches for the following year, and after months of physical therapy and a weight prosthetic was provided, Ayden was able to learn how to walk again.
Ayden is currently 14 years old and a first-year student at a STEM-structured high school. Unfortunately, Ayden's cancer has returned and this time it is in his left lung, pelvis, and right femur. During his quarterly appointment in June 2025, the doctor saw a small mass on the left lung and recommended that it be monitored. On October 13, 2025, after routine x-rays, our worst nightmares were confirmed, and the mass had grown. On October 14th, 2025, after having a CT scan, the results showed that he had three masses, and a lung biopsy was recommended. On October 31, Ayden had his lung biopsy conducted, and the preliminary report confirmed that it is once again Ewing Sarcoma in the left lung.
Ayden had a PET scan on November 3, 2025, to confirm that there are no other areas of concern. After speaking to his medical team at Hershey Medical Center, he will once again need to have port surgery for access for treatment. Ayden’s chemo sessions will run in 3-week series, with two of the medications given intravenously and one orally. On the third week of his series, we will have to travel daily 30-45 minutes to Hershey for his daily intravenous medications. Since it is unclear at this point how many complete series of chemotherapy Ayden will need, his team indicated that he would begin three separate series of chemotherapy.
As of last week, AJ has finished his first session of chemo and is now beginning his second 3-week session.
Those of you that know AJ and our family know what a sweet, kind, and most of all resilient young man he has become.
Thank you for becoming one of AJ's Army of Angels.