Help Adrian KO the Tumor Round 3!
Donation protected
In 2016, Adrian was diagnosed with a meningioma (benign brain tumor that had also grown through his left orbit and onto his eye and optic nerve) months before his wife, Alicia, was due with their now 3 year old baby girl, Amity. If you know Adrian, you know how he responded. He put all of his focus on his family and preparing himself physically and mentally for the 14 hour craniotomy to remove the mass. Fast forward 3 months and Adrian had won the round. He was back to work, back as a full time dad and coach, and ready to be completely over this part of life.
Round 2 came shortly after, when a follow up MRI showed that the tumor was growing back on the optic nerve (the surgeon had to leave a small portion of the tumor as it was wrapped around the nerve). Adrian had 6 weeks of radiation therapy to stop the growth. Initially promising after a few MRIs, it seemed like Adrian was finally in the clear showing no changes. Unfortunately, right before Christmas of 2018, his latest MRI has shown rapid regrowth from the previous imaging done 8 months prior.
Almost 3 years later, the tumor has come back directly adjacent to the previous mass that was removed from the brain and his biggest enemy is back for round 3. Adrian is once again going under the knife on March 4, 2019 in order to try and remove the mass once and for all. The scene is almost exactly as it was 3 years ago, with Alicia giving birth to their newest baby Adrian Marie IV on January 17th, 2019. Adrian has fought this already and we have no doubt that he will fight through this stronger than ever. Although he is strong, we can't deny how stressful this is going to be for the Van Balen family. Emotionally, physically, and unfortunately financially. While we may not have control of two of those aspects, we are asking that those willing to donate will help us take hold of the financial portion as best that we can.
The purpose of this fund is to help decrease the financial burden associated with medical costs and lack of income while Adrian is healing and to allow the Van Balen's to put all of their focus on recovery and moving forward. Any and all donations are appreciated more than we can say. We are amazed at all of the outpour of love and support they have already received and thank you all for helping Adrian fight this thing once and for all!
Goonies never say die!
-Tara Wong
Round 2 came shortly after, when a follow up MRI showed that the tumor was growing back on the optic nerve (the surgeon had to leave a small portion of the tumor as it was wrapped around the nerve). Adrian had 6 weeks of radiation therapy to stop the growth. Initially promising after a few MRIs, it seemed like Adrian was finally in the clear showing no changes. Unfortunately, right before Christmas of 2018, his latest MRI has shown rapid regrowth from the previous imaging done 8 months prior.
Almost 3 years later, the tumor has come back directly adjacent to the previous mass that was removed from the brain and his biggest enemy is back for round 3. Adrian is once again going under the knife on March 4, 2019 in order to try and remove the mass once and for all. The scene is almost exactly as it was 3 years ago, with Alicia giving birth to their newest baby Adrian Marie IV on January 17th, 2019. Adrian has fought this already and we have no doubt that he will fight through this stronger than ever. Although he is strong, we can't deny how stressful this is going to be for the Van Balen family. Emotionally, physically, and unfortunately financially. While we may not have control of two of those aspects, we are asking that those willing to donate will help us take hold of the financial portion as best that we can.
The purpose of this fund is to help decrease the financial burden associated with medical costs and lack of income while Adrian is healing and to allow the Van Balen's to put all of their focus on recovery and moving forward. Any and all donations are appreciated more than we can say. We are amazed at all of the outpour of love and support they have already received and thank you all for helping Adrian fight this thing once and for all!
Goonies never say die!
-Tara Wong
Organizer and beneficiary
Tara Wong
Organizer
Bethel Park, PA
Adrian Van Balen
Beneficiary
