One week ago, my cousin Glen and Bella's world was turned upside down. Their beautiful son Blaise Angelo Riccitelli was found having a seizure during a nap, just a few days after turning 8 months old. After being rushed to the hospital, Blaise was diagnosed with a rare Choroid Plexus Papilloma tumor. Up until his seizure, Blaise showed no signs of a tumor and was progressing through his first year of life as any healthy baby would.

Since the diagnosis, baby Blaise has already undergone two brain surgeries to remove the tumor, which thanks to the amazing healthcare staff at Yale New Haven was removed in totality. Blaise is a fighter and is making a slow but steady recovery in the PICU where he will likely stay for the next few days or weeks. We are currently awaiting the diagnostic analysis of the tumor.

While we wish this was the end of Blaise’s battle, he has a multi-year road to recovery ahead of him. Outside of his current surgeries and hospital stay, Blaise will need consistent occupational therapies and preventative anesthesia induced MRI’s every 3 months until the age of 2 to monitor and ensure the tumor does not regrow. From the age of 2 to 5 his preventative MRI’s will adjust to every 6 months.

Due to the level of Blaise’s upcoming care, his mother Bella is not able to return to work. Future medical expenses outside of the above therapies and MRI’s are unknown depending on how Blaise’s verbal and motor skills develop and/or if god forbid there are signs of regrowth.

We are so appreciative of any donation that can help alleviate the financial strain of medical bills and to ensure Blaise is provided with the absolute best care and therapy. We most importantly ask for your prayers of protection, healing and strength for Glen, Bella and Baby Blaise. We also ask that you pray for the doctors, nurses, therapists and any medical professionals that touch Blaise’s recovery process.

Updates to follow. Thank you.