Join Ricky's Journey: From Cancer to Recovery

Hello everyone,

Our nephew, Ricky, is a 14-year-old boy bravely battling a dangerous brain cancer. His short life has been a series of uphill battles, and he now faces the toughest challenge of his young life. Ricky has always shown unwavering love for his family. He has faced every trial with remarkable resilience, always remaining the affectionate and loving child we cherish.

(Please note that tipping the gofund me system isn’t required. It defaults to 17%, but is editable)

At just 10 years old, Ricky was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For two years, he fought courageously against this disease, enduring countless rounds of chemotherapy. Miraculously, he emerged victorious and was declared in remission. Sadly, fate had another challenge in store for him.

Now, at the age of 14, Ricky finds himself back in the children’s hospital at UNC Chapel Hill, battling a high-grade glioma. High grade gliomas make up about 10% of pediatric brain tumors and are often fatal. Last week, the first stage of treatment was initiated when he underwent a craniotomy and a large tumor was removed from one of the ventricles of his brain. Unfortunately, the cancer that had spread beyond the ventricle could not be removed. The road ahead is daunting and he must undergo radiation and yet more chemotherapy.

The median overall survival for children diagnosed at Ricky’s age is less than two years and these tumors often return after treatment. Your donation helps to ensure that comprehensive supportive therapies at the best facilities can offer him the best chance for ongoing comfort and quality of life.

Adding to the weight of this situation is the fact that Ricky is being raised by his grandmother, who lives on a very limited fixed income and is unable to work due to physical disabilities. She hasn't left Ricky's bedside, tirelessly providing him with love, care, and support.

While my family and I are doing everything we can to support Ricky and his grandmother, the reality is that we cannot do it alone. Your contributions, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in their lives and provide them with the support and resources they desperately need.

We are humbly reaching out to you, our community, for assistance. Your generosity can help alleviate some of the financial burdens that accompany Ricky's treatment journey.

The funds raised will go towards covering expenses such as:

1. Travel Costs: Ensuring Ricky receives the best possible care may require travel to treatment facilities, potentially even to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

2. Educational Support: With the shift to at-home schooling due to Ricky's health condition, we aim to provide him with the necessary school materials, including a Chromebook, small laptop, or iPad.

3. Basic Life Expenses: Supporting Ricky's grandmother as she navigates the challenges of being Ricky's primary caretaker, including covering food and daily living expenses.

4. Housing Situation: Their current home is in deplorable condition, with mold issues that are particularly dangerous for Ricky’s immunocompromised state. We hope to use some of the funds to either repair their home or assist with the cost of renting a cleaner, sterile, and less stressful living space during this trying time.

Thank you for taking the time to read Ricky's story and considering supporting him in his fight against cancer. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us. Please consider sharing his story.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out.

For more detailed information about Ricky’s condition and prognosis, you can refer to the NCCN Guidelines for Pediatric Central Nervous System Cancers.

https://jnccn.org/view/journals/jnccn/20/12/article-p1339.xml

With heartfelt gratitude,

Bryce Yarbrough and Sherry Broadwell