December 27th, 2025 UPDATE:

From Lucas Ticola’s Mom and Dad

December 16th, 2025 - With hearts that are broken and full at the same time, we want to share that our precious Lucas has passed peacefully, at home, surrounded by love.

Lucas fought evil, unfair DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma - terminal brain cancer of the brainstem) with more courage than we ever thought possible. He faced a battle no child should have to face, yet he met every day with strength, gentleness, and a spirit that changed everyone who knew him. His final moments were calm and beautiful — held by his family, wrapped in familiar sounds, lights, and love. He was never alone.

This GoFundMe was originally created to support Lucas’s medical care and the many needs that came with his treatment. As we now begin the painful journey of laying our sweet boy to rest, the purpose of this fund has gently shifted.

We are now facing:

• Funeral and memorial expenses

• Ongoing household and living costs

• Time away from work for grief, healing, and family support

• The many unexpected expenses that come with losing a child

Your continued support will help our family breathe through this impossible season — to grieve without panic, to honor Lucas properly, and to slowly find our footing again.

If you are able to help, please know that every gift, every share, and every kind word is a reminder that Lucas’s life mattered deeply — and that we are not walking this road alone.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for loving our beautiful boy and for carrying our family in your thoughts, prayers, and kindness. Someday when we are strong enough a foundation honoring our superhero Mighty Robot Tiger Lucas will exist. And his spirit will live on through spreading joy, laughter, light, and love. And fighting evil, unfair Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

With endless gratitude,

The Ticola Family

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7-year-old’s cruel Terminal Brain Cancer Journey. Mighty Robot Tiger Lucas, our Mighty Fighter — asking for Support during an Impossible Journey

Lucas was diagnosed with DIPG, an aggressive and devastating brain tumor, in August of 2024. For more than 15 months, he has endured more than any child should ever have to face: radiation, clinical trials, emergency hospitalizations, airway support, multiple shunts, EVD’s, infections, G-tube surgery, IV medications, wound complications, trips between specialists, ND tubes, multiple ambulance rides, and round-the-clock care in hospitals and at home. Even after losing all mobility, his ability to eat and speak, Lucas has remained through every moment the same brave, sweet, bright spirit and communicates with his gentle eye movements. Lucas has always had a zest for life and loves his family, friends, and pets (oh and stuffies too) so very much.

Even now — fighting a recent infection that spread to his spinal fluid, tumor growth, brain herniation and respiratory distress— he continues to show strength and determination that humbles everyone who knows him.

Their Reality

For the past many months, Lucas has required 24/7 care. Andraya, his mom, has not been able to return to work due to the ongoing stress on her mental health and caring for Lucas — her entire world is making sure Lucas is safe, comfortable, loved, and supported through every breath, every feed, every medication, every hospital decision; yet often forgetting about her own self care. Pete, his dad, owner of a Florida contractor exam prep school tries to be with Lucas as much as possible yet also has the weight of trying to keep his business afloat by offering some courses, but revenue has been cut in more than half.

The medical bills from repeated hospital stays, emergency transports, specialist visits, equipment, supplies, and home-care needs have grown far beyond what their family can manage alone. Insurance helps, but it does not come close to covering everything required to care for a medically fragile child at home.

Bills have stacked up, Lucas’ gradual decline over past 16 months has reached a place where help is needed.

Funds raised will go directly to:

• uncovered medical bills

• home nursing support

• medical equipment not covered by insurance

• ambulatory transports required from hospital to home and vice versa

• medications, supplies, wound care, oxygen needs

• everyday living expenses

• ensuring Lucas can remain at home, surrounded by the people he loves

Every donation, no matter the size, helps lift a tremendous weight from their shoulders so the family can focus on what matters most: Lucas.

How You Can Help

If you cannot donate, please share this page.

If you pray, please pray for Lucas.

If you believe in love, please send some in his direction.

Lucas has taught all of us what courage looks like. He continues to fight with a strength far beyond his years.

They are doing everything we can to surround him with stability, comfort, and peace. Your support — financial, emotional, or spiritual — will help this amazing, loving, heartbroken family continue this journey with him in the gentlest way possible.

Thank you for holding Mighty Robot Tiger Lucas in your heart and sending continued prayers,