Shank Family GoFundMe

About a month ago, Mason Shank, 6 years old, started experiencing some changes in speech- it became whisper-like and difficult to understand.  A visit to Urgent Care suggested the issue was tonsils so they pursued an ENT.  The ENT disagreed with this suggestion and planned a nasal scope.  In the meantime, a pediatrician visit on March 1st pointed to a neurological issue (by this time symptoms had progressed to difficulty swallowing, catching his breath, and some vision and balance difficulties).  Mason was sent to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis later that day, with a plan for tests and and an MRI March 2nd.  The MRI showed a tumor on his brain stem.   Wednesday March 3, Cory and Mackenzie were notified that Mason has Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) - a rare brain tumor that develops in the brainstem, affecting the nervous system. It is untreatable and inoperable, and doctors anticipate that the Shanks may have up to 5 months left with Mason.


Our hope is that the Shank family can cherish their remaining time together with Mason.  We want to assist with any potential financial needs so that they can prioritize quality time and memory making, as well as time to grieve and comfort one another after he is welcomed home to Heaven.  In the future, we hope that any additional funds collected can be spent to assist with college funds for Riley (8) and Ethan (2) so that Cory and Mackenzie are able to continue to invest their physical and emotional energy into their family, with minimal financial stress.

-Friends of Cory and Mackenzie-