Our 3-year-old grandson, Mason, is a sweet, funny little boy who loves Spiderman, Cup O’ Noodles, chocolate milk, and wrestling with his brothers. In March 2025, after a moderately raucous wrestling match at home, he ended up in the emergency room—his mom and dad concerned that he wasn’t recovering from the takedown the way he normally would. That ER visit led to tests and more tests and ultimately a diagnosis of high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma—an aggressive form of childhood cancer that presented as a mass in his abdomen and cancerous cells in his leg.

Treatment for stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma is complex and incredibly demanding. So far, Mason’s treatment has included numerous rounds of chemotherapy (including a recommended clinical trial), several surgeries, a bone marrow transplant, and follow-up for related complications. For the past 8 months, Mason and his mom, Kayla, have spent much more time in the hospital than at home. Meanwhile, his dad, Steve, has been holding down the fort with Mason’s six siblings—managing school, meals, transportation, and daily life. A new baby arrived in July, adding love and joy for sure, but also new layers to an already challenging journey.

Kayla and Steve are resourceful parents who have done everything possible to manage within their own support network throughout this time. However, Mason will be starting radiation treatment within the next several weeks and they’ve reached a point where community support is not only appreciated, but also necessary.

This next stage in his treatment plan requires outpatient therapy that will take place daily, 5 days/week with weekends off at either UW Hospital in Seattle or Mary Bridge in Tacoma—each more than 20 miles from home. Once the outpatient radiation treatment is complete, the plan is to resume additional rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, assessing next steps and continued intensive treatment over the next year or so.

We are hoping to fundraise for the following critical needs:

• Repairs and maintenance for the family’s van, currently stretched thin from all the trips to and from the hospital

• Funds for a reliable second vehicle or long-term rental to ensure both parents can manage treatment/hospital visits, and care for the other children

• Associated treatment travel expenses (gas, occasional lodging)

• Adaptive clothing, comfort items, and therapeutic supplies to keep Mason as comfortable as possible

• Meals and incidentals for Kayla during Mason’s hospital stays

• A little joy for Mason’s brothers and sisters—small gifts or outings, for example. Moments of normalcy mean a lot right now.

We’d be so grateful for any support you can offer Mason and his family as they face this tough road ahead. Since it's hard to predict expenses, this fundraising goal is set to automatically update as donations come in, ensuring we stay aligned with what's needed. No donation is too small—it all adds up and makes a difference. And if you’re not able to give financially, sharing Mason’s story is another huge way to help.

Mason is one tough little guy—brave, strong, and always shining his light. We’re holding on to hope and know that with the right care and the support of everyone around us, brighter days are ahead.