Stand with Zion

Everything began when Zion (at ten years old) started feeling severe back pains. Unsure as to the cause of it, he was brought to the doctor to have some testing done. An MRI was conducted on Zion, and a DL GNT (Diffuse Leptomeningeal Giloneural Tumor) was found in his spine. This was a very rare tumor to be found in a spine, as it is a tumor normally found in the brain. It was a low grade tumor that had been growing, unnoticed, for quite some time. The tumor caused scoliosis and bad behavior, due to it blocking any spinal fluid from being able to flow.
On August 1st, 2018, Zion was scheduled for surgery at Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Florida. The surgery went well and 90% of the tumor was able to be removed. Zion underwent 7 weeks of intense physical therapy to regain his ability to walk. Upon Zion's departure of the hospital, it seemed promising that this would be the end of it, and he would visit back in a couple months for another MRI to check the progress of everything. After 7 weeks, Zion was finally able to go home on September 21st, 2018 with his family. While it would still be a long road to full recovery, things were looking up.

On September 26th, 2018, Zion's mother, Corinne, was contacted by the Oncologist, who stated that Zion would need to return to Nemours Children's hospital by September 27th, 2018, to begin Chemotherapy. As one can imagine, this was completely heartbreaking news to receive. The Oncologist stated that the tumor was in fact cancerous, and that they would need to take an aggressive approach to the Chemotherapy to ensure that it would not grow any more. Unfortunately because this is a rare tumor that is uncommon to the spinal area, the doctors are unsure how it will take to Chemotherapy, and if it doesn't work as they plan, the next step will be to begin Radiation.
Zion's mother has done her absolute best in being there for him, while still maintaining her job, and tending to her two younger children who are still in Melbourne, FL. As you can imagine, driving to and from Orlando multiple times a week can become costly between gas and tolls, but it is absolutely necessary so that Zion doesn't have to go through this alone.

We are asking for any donations that you see fit to go towards Zion and his recovery, and also to help cover travel expenses for his mother so that she can continue to be by his side. Any amount helps, big or small. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser so that others may have the opportunity to help. Thank you.