Let's help Nate “Reese” experience Japan!

I'm tugging at your heartstrings ... let's help make Nate’s “Reese” wish come true with your financial donation! Any amount helps. Let's help Reese travel to Japan and give them a trip worthy of such a strong warrior and survivor. Below, you'll find Reese's story.

Reese's mom, Nicole, is a very, very dear friend of my brother, Christian. Reese just turned 20 years old. As a cancer survivor myself, their story is not only heartbreaking, but also inspiring and a testament to Reese's tenacity and love for life ...

Reese was diagnosed with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate, a relatively rare pediatric cancer, about a year ago. A cancer that is characterized by a high degree of aggressiveness and rapid local growth. Reese went through a rigorous cancer treatment plan in the past year of radiation and chemotherapy, but unfortunately, Reese's cancer has not responded to treatment.

They were recently told by their doctors that the cancer is now larger than when it started, despite the multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. They were then told that any treatment moving forward would be palliative. Despite that, they were not quite willing to give up. Reese and their mom are seeking a second opinion here in Chicago and in Texas, where a doctor specializes in this kind of pediatric cancer.

Reese, a music lover, learned to play the violin at a young age. They went to Skinner Elementary School, a very highly rated magnet cluster school that focuses on the fine arts and technology. Reese is now a music major at DePaul University on a music scholarship. Reese emanates an enormous zest for the arts and music.

Another one of Reese's passion is their love for anime and Japanese culture. Traveling to Japan has always been in Reese's life's adventures list, and has recently wished they had a chance to experience the culture and food and be surrounded by nature in Japan. Let's help make it happen for Reese!