Raymond Cuanas (Age 9) Fight Against Brain Cancer

On November 16th my nephew Raymond Cuanas went into the Randall’s Hospital to receive a non-sedated routine MRI. What was scheduled to take an hour turned into multiple hours of anxious waiting that only a parent can understand. At the conclusion of the MRI an unfamiliar gentleman greeted my sister, Raymond’s mother Lori, in the waiting room lobby. He began rearranging the chairs and brought my sister tissues, before asking her to sit with him and introducing himself as a brain surgeon from OHSU. Lori was utterly devastated. He then proceeded to apologize for the unconventional setup and that he was unprepared to share the images with her from an iphone. He explained that Raymond has a cancerous brain tumor on the right side of his brain. The tumor is surrounded by fluid which is causing seizures that he has been suffering from since September. He explained to her that the plan is to remove the tumor as soon as possible and asked her to drive Raymond home to pack a bag and kiss his brother Bear and his sister Lottie goodbye for a while because he will be living at Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital to fight this.

Raymond Cuanas is a fighter. The doctor’s discovered that he has suffered multiple issues with deteriorating eyesight due to the tumor, possibly from birth that he has never complained about. At the onset of Raymond’s seizures, doctor’s felt they were partly related to his anxiety and the intensity and general elevated excitement that he expresses daily. Raymond was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and an expressive language disorder when he began public schooling but has risen to challenge his struggles and is often much more concerned about the well being and struggles of others. Raymond will often act out WWE character introductions and practice basketball his favorite sport with unmatched enthusiasm and passion, often to the point an adult will have to remind him to take a break! While other children are playing at family functions, I often will see Raymond checking on his siblings and even my youngest to make sure they aren’t afraid and are comfortable. It’s a true testament to his character and the man he will grow up to be, but he needs real help right now.

Raymond has already endured numerous testing/scans, daily seizures, injections, seizure and medication induced vomiting to this point approaching his emergency brain surgery scheduled for Monday November 20th. It is now time for his support system and those that can provide real tangible assistance in any way they can to stand with Raymond and his family. Raymond’s father Josh is expected to miss work to care for not only Raymond, but his 2 toddler siblings Lottie and Bear during this difficult holiday season. My sister Lori will be spending most nights at the Children’s Hospital at Raymond’s bedside, and he will need her every step of the way. Raymond's biological father Hector Cuanas and his older brother Andrew will also be there to provide support to help Raymond win this battle. Medical bills have been adding up since September. Deductibles and expenses are high and the financial hardship that will be endured for the family is significant.

If you are able to give any amount of money to Raymond’s recovery, any and everything will be much appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please share this page and Raymond’s story to your friends, family, church, and all social media platforms to help support Raymond and his family during this extremely difficult journey. Updates will be posted on this platform often.