Help Gio Fight a Rare and Serious Illness

Our beloved Giovanni “Gio” is an 11-year old boy who should be spending his summer playing baseball, laughing with his cousins and friends, and getting excited about starting 6th grade and middle school in Sahuarita.

Instead, he is in the hospital fighting a rare and serious illness called Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease (iMCD).

Gio is normally a fun-loving, silly, and energetic kid who absolutely loves baseball. He plays first & third base, and is a pitcher. In June, everything suddenly changed.

Gio became extremely sick and was admitted to Tucson Medical Center. After spending a week there without a diagnosis, he was sent home, but his condition continued to worsen. He eventually had to return to the hospital and was transferred to Banner so additional specialists could evaluate him.

Since then, Gio has endured more than any child should have to experience. He has undergone multiple surgeries and procedures, including three biopsies, an excisional biopsy of three lymph nodes, MRIs, CT scans, echocardiograms, ultrasounds, X-rays, and countless blood tests.

He has experienced fluid buildup around his abdomen, lungs, and heart, making it difficult for him to breathe and requiring supplemental oxygen. He has also faced kidney complications and persistent fevers.

Gio has now started treatment with high-dose IV steroids and IL-6-directed therapy. His doctors anticipate approximately six to eight weeks of treatment and close monitoring. If he does not respond to his current treatment, chemotherapy may be considered.

Through all of this, Gio’s mom, Patty, has never left his side. She has missed more than a month of work and will remain by Gio's side to navigate the ever changing conditions and ensure he receives the best care possible. At the same time, the family is facing mounting bills and the high cost of Gio’s ongoing treatment.

We are humbly asking for your help during this incredibly difficult time.

Funds raised will go toward Gio’s medical treatment and other expenses related to his care. Your support will allow Patty to continue being by Gio’s side without having to choose between caring for her son and providing for their family.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing Gio’s story. You never know who your share might reach or who might be able to help.

Gio is only 11 years old.

Please help us give Gio the chance to get back to doing what he loves; playing baseball, spending time with his cousins and friends, and simply being a kid.

If you can donate, thank you.

If you can share, thank you.

If you can pray for Gio, thank you.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Gio, praying for him, and helping his family through this fight. Your love and support mean more to us than words can express.