Robbie’s Unexpected Diagnosis

Our sweet, energetic, and beloved 13-year-old Robbie—a child who loves being active, especially basketball, recently received news no family should ever have to hear: a diagnosis of brain cancer.

It is a brain tumor called a Germinoma. In a week and a half he will start by getting a port a cath placed and a spinal tap to test for spread of the cancer. Then he immediately starts with 3 months of chemo followed by two months of radiation then all the follow up visits and MRI’s etc. The chemo sessions are 4 days at a time.

This devastating diagnosis has immediately launched Robbie and his family into an intense and life-altering journey. Robbie is already undergoing critical rounds of testing at Boston Children’s Hospital.

A Battle That Requires Presence

Robbie’s treatment will be aggressive and will require his parents, Heather and Rob to be by his bedside day and night. They expect to be both in and out of the hospital depending on blood counts and how his body responds to the treatment like side effects etc.

He has already gone through a brain surgery to biopsy and place an ETV to prevent complications from the tumor constricting his CSF pathway.

While their priority is, and must always be, Robbie's care and comfort, this commitment comes with an immense financial strain. Both parents will be forced to take extensive, unpaid leave from their jobs. All while striving to keep some normalcy for their other four children.

Our Goal: Give Them the Gift of Time

We are reaching out to our community to remove the crushing burden of financial anxiety so that Heather and Rob can focus entirely on Robbie’s fight and recovery. They should not have to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and holding their son's hand.

The $50,000 goal will be strictly used to cover the equivalent of their lost wages over the course of Robbie's treatment and immediate recovery, ensuring they can maintain their monthly bills (mortgage/rent, utilities, etc.) without losing critical income.