Marcus is battling neuroblastoma for the second time.

He was first diagnosed at 4 years old and endured years of intense treatment: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, a double autologous bone marrow transplant at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, and multiple major surgeries at Valley Children’s and Stanford. He fought through it all and reached remission.

For nearly four years, Marcus returned to a normal childhood. He played sports, spent time with friends, collected cards, built Legos, and just got to be a kid again.

Now, at 10 years old, this news came suddenly and unexpectedly, and treatment began immediately. He has already completed two rounds of chemotherapy and is facing this fight again with the same strength and determination as before.

Marcus has been accepted into a STING clinical trial at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This requires monthly travel back and forth to LA for at least the next six months for ongoing treatment.

During this time, only one parent will be working. My sister, Diana, and her husband, Zack, are balancing treatment, travel, and daily life with their two young daughters, Natalie and Lauren.

Marcus loves fishing, baseball, collecting cards, listening to music, and playing catch when he feels well. He misses his friends and sports deeply, but he remains strong and hopeful.

We are sharing Marcus’s story to help support my sister and her family as they navigate the long road ahead with treatment and travel while focusing on Marcus’s care and recovery.

If you are able to help in any way, thank you. If not, prayers and positive thoughts mean just as much. Please keep Marcus in your prayers as he takes on this fight again. He is strong, and we are all standing with him.