Our sweet boy, Maverick, was recently diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor. This diagnosis came suddenly and has completely changed the rhythm of our family’s life.
What started as symptoms we couldn’t quite explain quickly turned into scans, hospital stays, and ultimately brain surgery. Maverick underwent a major operation to remove the tumor, and we are incredibly grateful that the surgeons were able to achieve a full resection and that there is no evidence of spread.
Since then, we have been waiting on detailed pathology and genetic results to better understand exactly what we are facing. We recently received an important update: Maverick’s tumor is SHH-activated and TP53 wild type (not mutated). This is a significant piece of information, as it places him in a group that tends to respond better to treatment. With this combination, along with full tumor removal and no metastasis, his doctors have given us a projected 75–85% chance of five year + survival with standard treatment (vs 41-50%).
While this gives us real hope, the road ahead is still long and difficult. Maverick will be undergoing an intensive course of radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments are necessary to target any remaining microscopic cancer cells, but they come with physical, emotional, and financial challenges for our entire family.
As we step into this next phase, our lives are shifting in ways we never anticipated. We will need to temporarily relocate for treatment, and our days will be centered around hospital visits, therapies, and supporting Maverick through this process.
We have had to pay for medications out of pocket, additional therapies, travel, gas, eating out, food, and other unexpected expenses. Funds raised will help cover:
* Travel and transportation costs
* Medical bills and treatments
* Food and daily living expenses
* Replacement of lost income during this time
Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out, brought meals, donated money, prayed for us, and fundraised thus far. We have been so humbled by the way our community has shown up for us. When this all began, we truly believed we could just power through on our own, but we are realizing we need more help than we expected.
It is incredibly humbling—and honestly hard—to ask for help. But we also know there are so many who want to support Maverick and our family, and we are deeply grateful.
Most of all, we ask for your continued prayers—for Maverick’s strength, for successful treatment, and for peace and endurance for our family as we walk this road.
Thank you for being part of our village.