Hey Friends!
We are starting this fundraiser to help our favorite family, The Stewarts. Drayson, 3, was diagnosed with Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma in 2019. PMA is a rare type of brain cancer, that is most responsive to surgical resection or radiation. Due to the location of the tumor, resection presents too many risks. It has also been advised to avoid radiation unless absolutely necessary as his brain is still developing and maturing. Drayson has now been on treatment for over two years.
A diagnosis was made at the Mayo Clinic and he began his first chemotherapy regime in October of 2019 that lasted a little over one year. On Christmas Eve of 2020, Dray was celebrating the completion of chemo and his disease was stable. Two short months later, headaches returned and scans depicted tumor progression. Dray was placed on a new protocol, which also failed to keep the tumor at bay. Further metastatic spread was detected in May of 2021. His scans were reviewed by St. Jude in Memphis where their team advised Dray was eligible for a brand new clinical trial providing him with a targeted treatment. This is obviously very exciting for the the Stewarts, but means they have to temporarily move to Memphis for this treatment. Due to COVID precautions St. Jude will only cover housing for parents and patients, so this means Duke could not be with his family. We are hoping to make this easier on the family as they are not only keeping up with bills at home and medical costs but also needing funds to support their stay in Memphis. After a year of being stuck inside, moving out of state away from friends and family is not ideal. We are hoping we can help from afar.