Support Slade's Fight Against Retinoblastoma

Hi, my name is Nicole Smith. I'm a mother of two boys. My oldest is 3 years old and my youngest will be 2 years old in June. Wade is my oldest and Slade is my youngest.

For almost a year, Slade has been fighting Grade B Bilateral Retinoblastoma. Twenty-five days after his first birthday, he had a regular eye checkup to check his lazy eye. His strabismus was suspected to be from retinoblastoma.

Five days after (July 1st), he was sent for an eye exam under anesthesia at the nearest children's hospital. One of our worst fears had become reality. We were told that he had multiple tumors in both eyes: a big tumor directly in the center of his right eye, and one slightly off-center of his left pupil.

Treatment would be intravenous chemotherapy, eye exams under anesthesia with possible laser and cryo treatment. On July 2nd, he had a port placed and he started treatment. That course of treatment lasted all of six cycles. The bigger tumors weren't shrinking as much as the smaller ones. In December, he started the Interventional Radiology Angiograms, which is focal point chemotherapy threaded through his femoral artery in his leg all the way up to his eyes.

We've been struggling to cope during these trying months. A little bit of help would go a long way. During the process of dealing with Slade's treatment, we have lost our Section 8, our vehicle has broken down, and we have been struggling to make ends meet. We are not homeless now, because insurance is paying for medical housing nearby the children's hospital. This money would go towards housing, bills, and any expenses that pop up. Our families have been helping as much as they can, but they all have bills themselves. I'd thank you in advance for choosing to help us during these trying times.