Support Wes's Fight Against Neuroblastoma

Hi, my name is Christa and I am writing on behalf of someone I love like a sister, Alicia (Lichoulas) Doherty and her amazing family, her husband Brian, their daughter Stella (5), and their son Wes (3).

Alicia and Brian are living a parent’s worst nightmare. 3 year old Wes is currently in a fight for his life against an aggressive high-risk cancer called Neuroblastoma. Alicia and Brian are dedicated to easing symptoms and finding the best treatment plans for him. Some potential plans involve new and innovative treatments in New York and integrative healthcare- all of which are out of pocket costs.

Wes and his family have a long, grueling treatment road ahead. We have faith that it will be an even more beautiful life on the other side of all this but they need our help to get there. Alicia is one of the most selfless, dedicated, loving humans and this is where we all can give back to her and Brian when they need it most.

The Before Story:

Up until age 3, Wes was a typical little boy with his own way of doing things. He loves playing with Barbies and playing dress up, and always has a smile lighting up the room. The only symptom he developed was Harlequin syndrome—half of his face would get red when he got hot or flushed. Come to find out, this was due to nerve compression from the tumor. He had surgery in November to remove most of the tumor, but because of where it is located, they couldn't remove it completely. But doctors said only 1% of this type of tumor grows back, and aggressively. Those odds were in our favor. We thought he was in the clear, but it all came crashing down in May.

The Current Story:

Follow up scans showed the cancer spread to his bones and bone marrow, and the tumor is growing back aggressively. Wes now needs to endure an aggressive treatment plan including chemo, radiation, more surgery, stem cell transplants and immunotherapy. His first round of chemo began on May 29. He came home after a 5-day hospital stay with a central line placement. It was very hard to watch Wes and Stella process that Wes was sick on the inside, even though he didn't feel or look sick. He was home for only a couple days before he spiked a fever, and was admitted again to the hospital, and again later that week. He has been hit hard with chemotherapy side effects including losing his hair, contracting infections that cause pain and discomfort, and a loss of appetite. Alicia and Brian are now in full advocacy mode, raising concerns and questions, all while dealing with insurance, work obligations and life's daily challenges along the way. This all happened so fast and they are now deep into this painful journey.

How You Can Help:

Your gifts provide more than financial relief. You'll be instilling mental peace, hope, and a powerful reminder they are not alone! Donations will go directly towards their immediate & long-term needs:

- Temporary lodging & travel costs if they move hospitals

- Food

- Out-of-pocket medical expenses

- Medications & supplements

- Practical needs for Wes

- Support for big sister, Stella

- And everything else that comes with this long journey...

Let’s shine all the love & support on The Doherty Family! We can all be a part of the miracle they are praying for. We know the profound real change the support of a community can have on a family.

If you can, please donate.

If you cannot, please share with others, and join us in prayer: We pray for Wes's full recovery, for strength for the treatment protocol, wisdom for the medical providers, and that divine peace and comfort come over Alicia, Brian, Stella, and Wes's hearts and minds as they endure this trial.

Peace and Light,

Christa, Alicia's sisterhood, and their families