Josh Lamar's Medical Expenses
Donation protected
On Oct. 5, 2016, 14-year-old Josh Lamar was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After more than a dozen tests and appointments in Jacksonville and Orlando, Josh underwent surgical procedures on Nov. 14 and again on Nov. 18 at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. Initial feedback following the surgery was positive, but pathology reports told a different story. Surgeons were unable to remove all of the tumor. What is left of the tumor, identified as a ganglioglioma, sits in an extremely difficult location for surgery.
After weeks of research and consultations with doctors, the family decided to transfer Josh’s care to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Surgeons there seem confident they can remove the tumor surgically, which is believed to be the best approach to this type of tumor. Josh and his family will travel to Boston on Feb. 7 for three days’ of tests and appointments. He will then undergo surgery – his third surgical procedure – on Feb. 13.
The goal is to remove the rest of the tumor so Josh can not only return to school on a full-time basis but resume his successful swimming career. (The photo above was taken by Tallahassee photographer Colin Abbey at the Class 3A state swim meet this past November, where Josh and his Lincoln High teammates placed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle relay. That meet took place 11 days before Josh’s first surgery.)
For those who wonder how Josh has been holding up through this ordeal: He’s a heck of a lot stronger than his parents! He returned to the pool in mid-January and has resumed lifting weights and all sorts of physical activity. He is adamant that he will be in the best shape of his life prior to surgery so his recovery will hopefully be that much easier. He has also returned to school for a shortened class schedule. The incredible support shown by his teachers and administration at Lincoln – thank you, Dr. Allen Burch! – means Josh has a path toward staying on track with his schoolwork.
Friends of the Lamars asked for permission to set up this account to help raise money to pay for the cost of travel and lodging for the time the family will be in Boston, including already scheduled follow-up appointments this spring. Jim, Peggy, Quin, Josh and Max are grateful for the generosity of his friends and family who have provided so much support during this time.
After weeks of research and consultations with doctors, the family decided to transfer Josh’s care to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Surgeons there seem confident they can remove the tumor surgically, which is believed to be the best approach to this type of tumor. Josh and his family will travel to Boston on Feb. 7 for three days’ of tests and appointments. He will then undergo surgery – his third surgical procedure – on Feb. 13.
The goal is to remove the rest of the tumor so Josh can not only return to school on a full-time basis but resume his successful swimming career. (The photo above was taken by Tallahassee photographer Colin Abbey at the Class 3A state swim meet this past November, where Josh and his Lincoln High teammates placed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle relay. That meet took place 11 days before Josh’s first surgery.)
For those who wonder how Josh has been holding up through this ordeal: He’s a heck of a lot stronger than his parents! He returned to the pool in mid-January and has resumed lifting weights and all sorts of physical activity. He is adamant that he will be in the best shape of his life prior to surgery so his recovery will hopefully be that much easier. He has also returned to school for a shortened class schedule. The incredible support shown by his teachers and administration at Lincoln – thank you, Dr. Allen Burch! – means Josh has a path toward staying on track with his schoolwork.
Friends of the Lamars asked for permission to set up this account to help raise money to pay for the cost of travel and lodging for the time the family will be in Boston, including already scheduled follow-up appointments this spring. Jim, Peggy, Quin, Josh and Max are grateful for the generosity of his friends and family who have provided so much support during this time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Friends of the Lamar Family
Organizer
Tallahassee, FL
Jim Lamar
Beneficiary