Support for Ari's Fight Against Brain Cancer

On February 23rd, 2025, after months of Heather and Ethan trying to determine why Ari had been not feeling well and not being his joyous self, the family learned that Ari had a brain tumor that required emergency surgery to remove. The 8 hour + surgery was extremely difficult and Ari almost did not make it, requiring multiple blood transfusions to be able to fight for his life. The amazing Neuro Surgery team at Seattle Children’s hospital saved his life that day as the pressure building up in his brain from the tumor was days away from being catastrophic. As Ari recovered from his surgeries with such strength and bravery, Heather and Ethan learned that Ari’s tumor was cancerous.

Ari's diagnosis is Choroid Plexus Carcinoma (CPC) which is a rare, aggressive brain cancer that primarily affects children & infants. Ari has been at Seattle Children’s Hospital where he started chemotherapy on March 11th. Chemotherapy has been full of hardships and triumphs. Ari has battled multiple infections, narcotic dependency and its side effects, multiple isolations to determine unknown lung infections, vocal cord damage, continued inability to successfully eat or drink, ICU stays and constant respiratory issues.

Ari also has significant vision loss stemming from the pressure of the brain tumor that was put on his optic nerves. Ari also now has major hearing loss in his left ear with his right ear hearing being affected by the chemotherapy drugs. The news of his vision and hearing loss is devastating and irreversible.

Following the completion of Ari’s third cycle of chemotherapy, an MRI was done with the hopes of showing the cancer starting to be defeated. It is with incredible sadness and unwavering hope, Heather and Ethan learned Ari has two new spots of cancer growth where the original tumor was removed as well as the development of Leptomeningeal which is the spreading of cancer between the brain tissue.

Ari has started his 4th cycle of chemotherapy, introducing new drugs and adding on a new drug with the hopes that the new chemotherapy will show positive results in slowing down the aggressive cancer.

Heather and Ethan do not know what the next chapter of this journey will look like and what it will require, but they do know that Ari’s standard and quality of life will not be the same as before. His vision and hearing loss will change the way he goes through life. This will be something that the Cox family will walk through post treatment, and will need continued help with.

Ari is one of the most emotionally intelligent, endearing, social, fun, athletic and all around amazing 4-year-old boy you will ever meet. Ari is one of those kids that knows what you need, before you do. He is one of those kids that has life breathed into him by his family and friends being around him. He is always up for an adventure, going out to eat at restaurants, playing with his brother’s and loving on his family. When you are around him, you cannot help but be filled with joy.

Heather and Ethan have so many big dreams for Ari and their two other boys, Easton (8) and Shea (22 months). Through trust in God for Ari’s healing we hope and pray that on the other side of this, Ari will go on to conquer and accomplish many amazing things and that his story is only partially written. For those of you who know Ari and the boy that he is, we all know that Ari will not be denied his ability to do wonders.

Thank you all for being a part of Ari’s journey. Prayers, People & Music are the source of strength the Cox family needs.