Main fundraiser photo

The Millers and Finn’s fight

Donation protected
No parent ever imagines their child’s name atop a GoFundMe page. But last weekend, the Miller family’s world shifted upside down.

Their two-year-old son Finn woke up from a nap, and something was off. Kelsey, his mom, noticed his fingers curled in when he was trying to grab a toy, and soon after, his right leg began to drag. She and Jack didn’t wait. They headed straight for the ER.

At Renown Hospital in Reno, the team acted quickly. Within hours, Finn was on a care flight to UCSF Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, where a pediatric neurosurgery team was standing by. They wasted no time: CT, then MRI.

The scans revealed the unthinkable… a brain tumor, larger than a baseball, growing in the left side of Finn’s little head. It was pressing on everything, explaining the strange symptoms and turning June 21 into the day every parent dreads.

There was talk of waiting to resect the tumor, to learn what kind it was. But that plan vanished when Finn’s body started to give out. He became unresponsive, and within moments, he was in the operating room. The surgical team did what they could, removing as much of the tumor as blood loss would allow. They had to stop before it was all gone, but they succeeded in one thing: relieving the pressure that was endangering his life.

Now comes the fight that no child should have to face. Finn is still in critical condition, his little brain working hard to reroute and reconnect while doctors try to balance medications just enough to keep his vitals steady. As of now, we wait, alongside Kelsey and Jack, for answers, for clarity, for one good sign after another.

And of course, there’s the part no one wants to talk about, but everyone understands: the cost. Medical care at this level comes with a weight no family should have to carry alone. The Millers are not only facing the treatments that Finn has already undergone, but what comes next—likely chemotherapy, more surgeries, potentially weeks or months in the hospital. Meanwhile, they’re caring for their 8-month-old son Murphy too, somehow trying to be parents to two tiny boys while camped out miles from home in hospital halls.

If you feel moved to help, any amount you give will go directly toward keeping the Millers afloat: covering hospital bills, housing in San Francisco, food, and basic needs. Most importantly, your support gives them the chance to keep their focus where it belongs—on Finny, and on hope.

This is a story no family should ever have to live. But here they are, doing it with quiet strength and a deep well of love. Let’s show them they’re not alone. Please stand with the Millers—with your prayers, your dollars, your light. Every bit matters.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for believing in the power of community in darker times.


Update per mama:
One in a million. So rare, no treatment protocol defined. Extremely aggressive. Clinical trial. Multiple surgeries. Intensive chemotherapy. Potential radiation and stem cell therapy. This is what the doctors are telling us. In just one week, my boy has endured a lifetime of suffering, and this journey has only just begun. Helplessly watching brings pain and darkness beyond words. Yet, through the darkness, we find light. Total tumor resection. Controlled seizures. Lifeline support from family and friends. Affordable housing in an unaffordable city. Humbling prayers and donations from our community. Immediate financial support from NNCCF. Skilled doctors and the best nurses. Smiles and sunshine from the happiest 8 month old.
It’s impossible not to imagine the worst, but as my MIL reminded, it’s only fair to spend as much time imagining the best. My one in a million boy will survive this. There simply cannot be a world where he doesn’t exist. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with kind words, included Finn in your prayers, donated your hard-earned money, and found creative ways to reduce the financial burden on Jack and me. We are beyond grateful.

Please continue to keep Finn in your thoughts and prays. He will need all the healing energy the universe can provide ✨✨✨


Update 7/1/2025 via Mama:

On June 27th, we received the call that the diagnostic testing was nearly complete, and the oncologist wanted to meet in the afternoon. As we anxiously awaited 3 PM, I was overwhelmed with anxiety, feeling physically ill. The social worker escorted Jack and me to a conference room. By her breathing and the grim expressions on the oncologists' faces, I could tell the news wasn't good. Despite this, Jack and I held onto each other, hoping for better news. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. They immediately informed us that Finn had been diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer called Embryonal Tumor with Multifaceted Rosettes (ETMR). This tumor is incredibly rare, with a one-in-a-million chance of occurrence, and very little is known about it. There is no established treatment protocol within the medical community.

Fortunately, UCSF has just opened a clinical trial for patients with ETMR, and Finn appears to be eligible pending multiple tests. This trial combines various treatment methods into one comprehensive plan based on the top oncologists' professional opinions who have treated this tumor globally. The doctors mentioned that while there are only 20 spots available for this trial worldwide, currently, only one person is enrolled, and they highly doubt all spots will be filled due to the rarity of this disease.

This clinical trial is unique in its flexibility, allowing for several different treatment options to maximize success. My son is not Patient X, and I won't allow him to be treated as such. We have the option to unenroll whenever necessary, which brings me comfort.

With the complete tumor resection that took place on June 30th, Finn has the best possible chance of winning this battle. As soon as it is safe to start the next phase of treatment, we will. Over the next 18 weeks, Finn will undergo one week of high-dosage/frequency chemotherapy treatment called "induction" treatment, which requires hospitalization at UCSF, followed by two weeks of outpatient treatment. This 3-week cycle will repeat three more times. Some of the chemotherapy will be delivered via an Ommaya reservoir, a medical device placed into the scalp that allows direct access to cerebrospinal fluid, targeting any microscopic cancer cells in the central nervous system.

After chemotherapy, the doctors are currently recommending radiation, likely proton therapy in San Diego for 6 weeks. We were warned that radiation on a developing child as young as Finn can have long-lasting and serious side effects that we need to understand. We are meeting with a radiation specialist next week. There is also the option of stem cell therapy. We will decide what is best for Finn when we reach that phase of treatment.

Currently, it is unclear if any of his treatment can occur back home in Reno. Regardless, San Francisco will become our second home for the year as we travel back and forth for the many treatments and tests required at UCSF.

I am currently sitting next to Finn as he sleeps through most of the day, exhausted from his third brain surgery and the general anesthesia experience. The EEG with 23 different wires was placed back on his head around the large sutured incision site to monitor if his subclinical seizures will worsen.

This week, we focus on recovery and mending his broken spirit. No child is meant to be confined to one room for weeks on end, and the constant poking, neuro checks, and frequent vitals have Finn on edge. He doesn't want to be touched by anyone but his parents. He doesn't want to play. Finn has no idea why this is happening to him and is so scared. I wish so badly I could take away his fear and suffering.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to this GoFundMe page. Please continue to pray for Finn and share his story if you feel called.
Donate

Donations 

    Donate

    Organizer and beneficiary

    Karlee Cresswell
    Organizer
    Reno, NV
    Kelsey Miller
    Beneficiary

    Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

    • Easy

      Donate quickly and easily

    • Powerful

      Send help right to the people and causes you care about

    • Trusted

      Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee