If you know Melanie and her family, then you already know this is one of the hardest-working, faith-filled, and most selfless families you could ever meet.

You also know they would never be the ones to ask for help themselves. That’s why I’m doing it for them.

Over the last few years, I’ve watched this family walk through more than most people could imagine. Their son Tanner was diagnosed with an ultra-rare progressive genetic disorder called STT3A-CDG - a diagnosis so rare that fewer than 30 known individuals worldwide currently share it. What started as subtle changes became a heartbreaking decline in mobility, strength, coordination, speech, and endurance. Tanner now requires ongoing specialty care across multiple states, extensive therapies each week, mobility equipment, testing, and frequent medical travel as doctors continue searching for answers and ways to help him. As Tanner’s full-time caregiver, Melanie has devoted every ounce of herself to fighting for her son, navigating specialists, therapies, treatments, and the unimaginable realities that come with caring for a medically fragile child.

Then came another devastating blow. During the genetic testing process for Tanner, Melanie learned she carried the BRCA2 gene mutation and in April 2024, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. While battling cancer herself, Melanie continues to care for Tanner full time while Kevin works tirelessly as the sole provider for their family of six. Despite his hard work, one income can no longer sustain the overwhelming financial burden their family now faces. Between flights to specialists, hotel stays, medical bills, therapy costs, insurance denials, medications, adaptive equipment, lost work time, and everyday expenses for a family of six — the financial strain has been immense.

Most of all, they want Tanner to keep experiencing joy. Tanner is one of the sweetest kids you could ever meet. He loves LEGO, makes people smile everywhere he goes, and continues facing challenges with courage that humbles every adult around him.

This family is carrying more than anyone should ever have to carry at once. Still — they rarely complain. I would love for us to come together and help carry some of the burden for them.

If you feel led to help, whether through donating, sharing, praying, or simply helping spread their story, every act of kindness matters more than words can express. Your support will go directly toward medical expenses, life-saving treatment costs, travel for care, and helping relieve even a small portion of the weight this family is carrying.

Please pray for Tanner. Pray for Melanie. Pray for strength, wisdom, peace, healing, and hope.

Thank you for loving this family well.