As some of you know, my sister Stephanie's 14-year-old son, Hunter, went in for some scans last week where they found a mass in his lower intestines. He went into emergency surgery where they had to remove part of his lower intestines to get the mass out. Early this week, they confirmed that it was cancer, and yesterday we found out it is a rare cancer called Burkitt Lymphoma. After multiple procedures and scans (and more to come), the doctors are hopeful that they have caught it early and Hunter will overcome this.

As of right now, we know that he has a small amount left in his stomach. It is to be determined whether or not the cancer has spread anywhere else. In the coming days, he will have to have his spinal fluid and bone marrow tested to make sure that the cancer isn't there as well. On Monday, he will have his port put in so that he can start chemo sometime next week. He is young and strong, and we have faith that God will see this sweet boy through this.

As you can imagine, the expenses will be coming in throughout this process. Between hospital appointments and extended stays during treatment, they are going to need all the help we can give. Currently, Will, Hunter's step-dad, is working out of state 5 days a week and will need to keep that up to make sure the family has at least one income. All of Stephanie's focus will be taking care of Hunter during this time as well as her two younger boys. It is up in the air right now whether Stephanie will be able to return to her job with the state parks in April. With that being said, I ask that if you are able to, please help ease the burden for this family over the coming months.