Stephen’s Wish: More Time With His Daughters Amid Cancer

His name is Stephen. He can best be described as the loving father who sees the next star on Broadway, the up and coming Olympic gymnast, the future class president… “whatever-their-dreams may be” when he looks at his daughters. He can also be described as one of the few (less than 1%) unlucky people with a devastating diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

At the beginning of October 2024, Stephen Noel was a healthy, active 49 year old. He began having headaches and a little difficulty with remembering things. On October 24th, Stephen had a headache that was so excruciatingly painful and debilitating that his oldest daughter had to call 911. He was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital and then transferred to a larger, more experienced medical center where a CT scan revealed a mass in his brain. After a week of labs, imaging, and a biopsy of the mass, he was diagnosed with a high grade malignant brain tumor, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Stephen’s brain tumor is inoperable, aggressive, and fast growing. Growing from the size of a plum to a peach in only two weeks and spreading to the areas that cover the brain and spinal cord are two rare features that have not only surprised Stephen’s medical team, but have also disqualified him from radiation treatment. His tumor is not responsive to the standard chemotherapy. There is no cure. We are focused on providing comfort, support, and, most importantly, meaningful time with his two daughters, family, and friends.

Stephen wants to have as much quality time as possible with his daughters, Sophia and Isa. We are working with the Medical and Palliative Care Teams to do all that we can to follow his wishes.

With no adult family in his current home state, Stephen’s parents, siblings and cousins will continue to travel to him to provide his care during this unimaginably difficult time. The family is working to ensure that his apartment is safe and medically ready to allow him to be closer to his daughters. Besides medical costs and other expenses related to his illness, we want to make sure that his girls are able to spend whatever remaining time he has making memories.

Any and every donation made here will go directly to Stephen’s care and allow for him to remain as close to his daughters during his last months with them. If you are not able to donate, please share this page or send Stephen and his family a caring thought or virtual hug.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated and our thanks are beyond measure.

In the event that we raise money above Stephen’s needs, the remaining donations will go towards the future financial support of Stephen’s daughters.