Join Carter's Journey to Overcome Cancer

My name is Carter White. I am a 33-year-old Navy Veteran, born in North Dallas and raised by my mom, Beverly White, and dad, Brad White, who supported my brother and me with a life full of memories that can never be erased.

On January 3, 2024, my life changed forever. I had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital where it became known that I had a brain tumor. Less than 24 hours later, I underwent a craniotomy to have the tumor removed. A few days later, while in the hospital, the tests came back and the doctors informed me that the tumor was cancerous and that it was stage 4 melanoma. Not only did the doctors tell me that I had melanoma, but cancer was also found in my lung and thyroid as well. We had to get moving quickly. Treatment began 1 week later.

On March 17th, I began having terrible headaches and my incision site where the craniotomy was performed was infected. I was rushed to the hospital once more and had to have that piece of my skull removed. Two weeks after leaving the hospital once the surgery was completed, I was back in the hospital again after going DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) and was holding on for dear life. Meanwhile, I still had to continue my immunotherapy treatments. After immunotherapy treatments were complete, it wasn't about two weeks later when I was rushed to the hospital as I was not able to breathe. The doctors at UT Southwestern began treatment for an acute pulmonary embolism, which I stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks. (My mom and I were in and out of the hospital for 8 straight months.)

From July 2024 until now, I have been in remission. However, there's still a road ahead. Doctors at UT Southwestern are carefully planning the best way to get me back in one piece. As of right now, the biggest part of a two-part plan is having another brain surgery for a 3D printed piece to be fitted and placed where the void in my head is and to have my thyroid removed. As of right now, the doctors are wanting to have the thyroid removed first before going forward with the brain surgery.

The past 15 months have not only been a physical and mental toll on myself and my family but financially as well. I am currently living with my mom and dad 2 hours away from my team of doctors at UTSW and that alone has been a burden in and of itself, but we continue to stay positive and keep moving forward.

All donations would be greatly appreciated to get me to the finish line and begin my new journey in life.