Battle For Brock Gumm
Donation protected
As some of you may know, 8 year old Brock Gumm has been battling Osteosarcoma since October 6, 2014. Osteosarcoma is a very rare and aggressive bone cancer that occurs primarily in children and young adults. It accounts for only 3% of all pediatric cancers, and for this reason is not well funded for research and cures. It is unrelenting in its progression and its pain.
Brock’s first tumor was in his left humerus (upper arm). During a long surgery, the humerus and tumor were removed, and a cadaver (donor) bone was placed. Brock underwent 18 rounds of chemo. He was cancer free for 11 months when another tumor was found in the same arm, in the 3" of his original bone that the surgeon left in order to anchor the donor bone.
Since the cancer returned to the original arm, the best, yet most difficult, option was to amputate his arm. This happened on June 9, 2016. He also underwent an additional 3 rounds of chemotherapy.
Brock was declared cancer free for a second time. Six months later, on December 21, 2016 a mass was discovered on Brock's right lung. The Dr.'s didn't "think" it was Osteosarcoma, but couldn't tell the family for sure. Brock's Mom, Paige Gumm insisted to have if removed rather than "wait and watch". The mass was removed in January 2017 and the pathology came back that it was a metastasis Osteosarcoma.
In February 2017, the Gumm family sought additional assistance through the world-class specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. There, doctors confirmed that Brock has three additional tumors in his lungs that are osteosarcoma. While they are small, Brock’s best chance for long term survival depends on him undergoing two invasive lung surgeries, that are painful and require a long recovery time. The entire Gumm family have been supported throughout this by their faith, their friends and families, and an overwhelming desire to do ANYTHING to help their son.
After these grueling surgeries, Brock’s long-term survival rests on his ability to receive immunotherapy treatment. The immunotherapy of choice is an agent called Mifamurtide. It has been found in clinical trials that treatment with Mifamurtide can reduce mortality by 30 percent. It is not FDA approved in the US, but it is in 27 countries. The family is currently working with Brock’s doctors to get this medicine for Brock. Several families in the US have now been able to get this important compound, and we believe that the Gumm family will be next. Unfortunately, this immunotherapy protocol, no matter how successful, is not covered by any insurance. In order to provide Brock with the very best chance at life, the Gumm family MUST raise the cost of the treatment themselves- $100,000 for the 48 vials he will need.
Brock and his mother will be traveling to Houston (4 hours away from home) twice a week for 12 weeks for one hour infusions and then once a week for 24 weeks for an hour infusion. The treatment will last about 9 months. The family is committed to do anything they can for their precious son. Can you do the same in helping them meet this goal as soon as possible?
Nothing is too small, and every penny brings Brock closer to life. Please share this story to anyone who can help our sweet and brave boy. He has experienced more in 8 years than most of us ever will, and retains a fierce determination to live and to enjoy every moment. To learn more please follow Battle For Brock via Facebook.
It is our fondest hope that Brock’s infectious smile, sweet blue eyes, unparalleled bravery and determination will make this go viral, and will touch the hearts of many. This child has faced the beast that is osteosarcoma, can’t you please help lead him to the cure?
With loving thanks and hope that will never end,
The Family and Friends of our SuperWarrior,
Brock Gumm.
Brock’s first tumor was in his left humerus (upper arm). During a long surgery, the humerus and tumor were removed, and a cadaver (donor) bone was placed. Brock underwent 18 rounds of chemo. He was cancer free for 11 months when another tumor was found in the same arm, in the 3" of his original bone that the surgeon left in order to anchor the donor bone.
Since the cancer returned to the original arm, the best, yet most difficult, option was to amputate his arm. This happened on June 9, 2016. He also underwent an additional 3 rounds of chemotherapy.
Brock was declared cancer free for a second time. Six months later, on December 21, 2016 a mass was discovered on Brock's right lung. The Dr.'s didn't "think" it was Osteosarcoma, but couldn't tell the family for sure. Brock's Mom, Paige Gumm insisted to have if removed rather than "wait and watch". The mass was removed in January 2017 and the pathology came back that it was a metastasis Osteosarcoma.
In February 2017, the Gumm family sought additional assistance through the world-class specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. There, doctors confirmed that Brock has three additional tumors in his lungs that are osteosarcoma. While they are small, Brock’s best chance for long term survival depends on him undergoing two invasive lung surgeries, that are painful and require a long recovery time. The entire Gumm family have been supported throughout this by their faith, their friends and families, and an overwhelming desire to do ANYTHING to help their son.
After these grueling surgeries, Brock’s long-term survival rests on his ability to receive immunotherapy treatment. The immunotherapy of choice is an agent called Mifamurtide. It has been found in clinical trials that treatment with Mifamurtide can reduce mortality by 30 percent. It is not FDA approved in the US, but it is in 27 countries. The family is currently working with Brock’s doctors to get this medicine for Brock. Several families in the US have now been able to get this important compound, and we believe that the Gumm family will be next. Unfortunately, this immunotherapy protocol, no matter how successful, is not covered by any insurance. In order to provide Brock with the very best chance at life, the Gumm family MUST raise the cost of the treatment themselves- $100,000 for the 48 vials he will need.
Brock and his mother will be traveling to Houston (4 hours away from home) twice a week for 12 weeks for one hour infusions and then once a week for 24 weeks for an hour infusion. The treatment will last about 9 months. The family is committed to do anything they can for their precious son. Can you do the same in helping them meet this goal as soon as possible?
Nothing is too small, and every penny brings Brock closer to life. Please share this story to anyone who can help our sweet and brave boy. He has experienced more in 8 years than most of us ever will, and retains a fierce determination to live and to enjoy every moment. To learn more please follow Battle For Brock via Facebook.
It is our fondest hope that Brock’s infectious smile, sweet blue eyes, unparalleled bravery and determination will make this go viral, and will touch the hearts of many. This child has faced the beast that is osteosarcoma, can’t you please help lead him to the cure?
With loving thanks and hope that will never end,
The Family and Friends of our SuperWarrior,
Brock Gumm.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lauren Nichols Pipak
Organizer
Longview, TX
Paige Gumm
Beneficiary
