Hi . My name is Toni. I am the bonus Nona to this beautiful girl. Her name is Kenzley. She is 17 months old and just received life-altering news. I will let mama Katie tell the rest...

Thursday morning Kenzley went in for a routine MRI to monitor for any tumors or other abnormalities that can be associated with a Gorlin Syndrome diagnosis with a Neuro-Oncology Clinic visit to follow. The expectation from us and her care team was to see relatively “normal” imaging. She had no issues indicating otherwise, but that was not the case.

Nobody ever wants to be told that their otherwise healthy 17-month-old child has a malignant brain tumor. They discovered a large medulloblastoma in the cerebellum. She is scheduled to have surgery to remove the tumor on Tuesday morning. We will then work with her team to establish a care plan going forward. After a hospital stay and a few weeks of healing at home, she will begin chemotherapy.

When I woke up Thursday morning, I never imagined our day transforming that quickly into something so unexpected. Now, here I am 12 hours after her diagnosis, praying, devastated, and wanting nothing more than to have my baby healed and healthy.

Our care team at NCH was absolutely amazing throughout our clinic visit, and I have no doubt that she is in the best hands. Please, keep Kenzley in your prayers. Pray for her healing. Pray for the surgeon/nurses/doctors that will be performing her surgery and caring for her in the coming days/weeks/months. Pray for our family as we now navigate our new reality of life with a child with cancer.

As you can see, this family is in need. I am setting this up, so Mama and Dad can focus on Kenz and her little brother Matthew as well. I know this is a trying time for everyone, so please just know we appreciate anything and everything.

Thank you.