Hello family, friends, and community,

I am starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my cousin, Nathaniel Budewitz, his fiancée Morgan Heller, and their one-year-old son, Kaston.

In July, just a week before celebrating their son’s first birthday, Nathaniel fell down their basement stairs and suffered a skull fracture, a shoulder injury, and other complications. He spent several days in the ICU and had to take more than a month off work to recover.

On August 31st, after a very difficult month, they were finally able to celebrate Kaston’s first birthday. What should have been a joyful milestone quickly turned into something no parent ever imagines. Sweet, happy Kaston—known for his big smiles and bright spirit—just wasn’t himself. He was fussy and not wanting to be around others.

On September 3rd, Morgan and Nathaniel took him to the doctor after noticing small red spots on his legs and that he wasn’t crawling. His doctor immediately sent them to the hospital for labs and X-rays. After initial testing, they were sent home to wait for results. Later that day, they received the call every parent dreads: doctors believed Kaston had leukemia, and they needed to head to the children’s hospital right away.

On September 4th, their worst fear was confirmed—Kaston was officially diagnosed with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia.

On September 5th, just days after celebrating his birthday, Kaston bravely began his treatment journey. He has started chemotherapy, which he will need for 2 years and 4 months, with treatments scheduled twice a week for the foreseeable future.

This is an unimaginable journey for their young family. With Nathaniel still recovering from his accident and uncertain when he can return to work, the added medical, travel, and everyday expenses have become overwhelming. Each trip for treatment requires nearly a two-hour round drive to Milwaukee, multiple times a week.

We are coming together to help lift some of this financial burden, so they can focus on what truly matters— supporting Kaston as he fights this battle.

If you are able to donate in any amount, please know that your kindness will mean the world to them. Every gift, big or small, will help with gas, medical bills, lost wages, and the many unexpected costs they are facing. Most importantly, it will remind them that they are not having to do this alone.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story, and for surrounding them with love and support. Updates will be shared here as the family is able.

#KastonFightsBack