Gavin Battles Cancer with Gaming!
Donation protected
My son, Gavin, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in May of 2013 at the age of 10, and his life has forever changed since that day.
Ewing Sarcoma is a bone cancer of which there are only 800 new cases diagnosed per year worldwide. Gavin underwent one horrible year of chemotherapy and received multiple surgeries over a two year period. The cancer was located in his right humerus and his entire bone needed to be removed. Amputation would have been our only option if not for the blessing we recieved of finding an amazing surgeon. After multiple surgeries, Gavin now has a custom made prosthetic humerus in his right arm. Although his arm has very limited functionality, he is still able to enjoy an activity that really got him through the worst of times during treatment......more on that in a bit.
Gavin is a kind, strong, brave, intelligent boy and my wife and I are so proud to be his parents. He is also a loving wonderful big brother to our youngest son Zachary. (below is a recent pic of Gavin and Zachary)
Before the diagnosis and treatment period, Gavin was like any other kid his age who enjoys childhood by playing sports. He was a pitcher on his baseball team and an outstanding LB and RB on his football team, he was #47 for both sports. Sadly, because of what cancer has done to his body, he will no longer be able to participate in the sports he loved.
Cancer has taken many things from Gavin, for it was not long ago that I would look into my backyard and see 8 to 10 boys running around playing football, baseball, kickball.........now most days that space remains empty.
Fortunately Gavin has another interest which has allowed him to remain engaged with some of his friends....videogames! His love of videogames has been beneficial during those days and weeks of hospital stays and during the abundant times he had to remain isolated from family and friends. Gaming, over all other activities, helped him get through his bad days of treatment and is something he is very passionate about. Gaming has been a wonderful option for Gavin considering the limited use he has with his right arm.
As a matter of fact, the question he asked my wife and I before his first surgery was, "Will I still be able to play football?" To that we sadly told him, "No, probably not." His next question was, "Will I be able to play videogames?" We told him, "Most likely, yes." He responded with a big smile and a sigh of relief. Of course, nothing was certain at that moment and it was still a possibility they would have to amputate his arm, thankfully that was not the case.
Which brings us to why I am here asking for donations. Gavin has watched countless hours of YouTube videos during the past two years, mostly about gaming of course.
The other day he said with a big smile, "I want to be on YouTube making videos about gaming, I'm really good."
I asked him why would he want to be on YouTube and he told me,
"I want to help people play games better, make them laugh and you can make money. I would like to do that, and then donate a lot of that money to cancer research and buy things for other kids so they can play games during treatment. I want to make more awareness of childhood cancer and let people know what we (children) have to go through and what would make it easier."
He also said recently that he would like to design videogames for a career, he really does have amazing ideas, is a total techie and an outstanding student, so I could see that becoming a reality for him. His favorite games currently are Destiny and Minecraft, he loves all Nintendo games and is also very excited for the new Star Wars Battlefront game. Mobile gaming is of course something he absolutely enjoys.
Help make Gavin's gaming and YouTube dreams come true. The money donated will be used to purchase all the equipment he will need to successfully record and edit his gaming videos for uploading onto the internet.
Gavin has endured much suffering, more than any child should bear, but he carries on the only way he knows how, with strength and determination. He inspires me everyday to be a better person and to cherish each moment. Speaking of those moments, here is a selfie of Gavin and I on Father's Day of this year...I just love that kid.
During treatment Gavin made the following statement regarding his battle and it showcases the tenacity and courage that remains with him to this day,
"I am going to beat this stupid cancer!"
Yes.....yes you will!
I would like to say thank you to all of our friends and family who have supported Gavin and us throughout this journey, and thank you to those who are able to donate and support Gavin's gaming battle against cancer.
Thank You,
- Ken Boggs #GamerVsCancer #gamingbattlescancer
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My wife and I have created a foundation in Gavin's name, with the purpose to raise money for childhood cancer research and to assist families in need. We are Gavin's Warriors! #gogold #gavinswarriors
Click this link to be taken to The Gavin Warrior Foundation website.
Click here for Gavin's CaringBridge page where you can read more info on Gavin's journey.
Ewing Sarcoma is a bone cancer of which there are only 800 new cases diagnosed per year worldwide. Gavin underwent one horrible year of chemotherapy and received multiple surgeries over a two year period. The cancer was located in his right humerus and his entire bone needed to be removed. Amputation would have been our only option if not for the blessing we recieved of finding an amazing surgeon. After multiple surgeries, Gavin now has a custom made prosthetic humerus in his right arm. Although his arm has very limited functionality, he is still able to enjoy an activity that really got him through the worst of times during treatment......more on that in a bit.
Gavin is a kind, strong, brave, intelligent boy and my wife and I are so proud to be his parents. He is also a loving wonderful big brother to our youngest son Zachary. (below is a recent pic of Gavin and Zachary)
Before the diagnosis and treatment period, Gavin was like any other kid his age who enjoys childhood by playing sports. He was a pitcher on his baseball team and an outstanding LB and RB on his football team, he was #47 for both sports. Sadly, because of what cancer has done to his body, he will no longer be able to participate in the sports he loved.
Cancer has taken many things from Gavin, for it was not long ago that I would look into my backyard and see 8 to 10 boys running around playing football, baseball, kickball.........now most days that space remains empty.
Fortunately Gavin has another interest which has allowed him to remain engaged with some of his friends....videogames! His love of videogames has been beneficial during those days and weeks of hospital stays and during the abundant times he had to remain isolated from family and friends. Gaming, over all other activities, helped him get through his bad days of treatment and is something he is very passionate about. Gaming has been a wonderful option for Gavin considering the limited use he has with his right arm.
As a matter of fact, the question he asked my wife and I before his first surgery was, "Will I still be able to play football?" To that we sadly told him, "No, probably not." His next question was, "Will I be able to play videogames?" We told him, "Most likely, yes." He responded with a big smile and a sigh of relief. Of course, nothing was certain at that moment and it was still a possibility they would have to amputate his arm, thankfully that was not the case.
Which brings us to why I am here asking for donations. Gavin has watched countless hours of YouTube videos during the past two years, mostly about gaming of course.
The other day he said with a big smile, "I want to be on YouTube making videos about gaming, I'm really good."
I asked him why would he want to be on YouTube and he told me,
"I want to help people play games better, make them laugh and you can make money. I would like to do that, and then donate a lot of that money to cancer research and buy things for other kids so they can play games during treatment. I want to make more awareness of childhood cancer and let people know what we (children) have to go through and what would make it easier."
He also said recently that he would like to design videogames for a career, he really does have amazing ideas, is a total techie and an outstanding student, so I could see that becoming a reality for him. His favorite games currently are Destiny and Minecraft, he loves all Nintendo games and is also very excited for the new Star Wars Battlefront game. Mobile gaming is of course something he absolutely enjoys.
Help make Gavin's gaming and YouTube dreams come true. The money donated will be used to purchase all the equipment he will need to successfully record and edit his gaming videos for uploading onto the internet.
Gavin has endured much suffering, more than any child should bear, but he carries on the only way he knows how, with strength and determination. He inspires me everyday to be a better person and to cherish each moment. Speaking of those moments, here is a selfie of Gavin and I on Father's Day of this year...I just love that kid.
During treatment Gavin made the following statement regarding his battle and it showcases the tenacity and courage that remains with him to this day,
"I am going to beat this stupid cancer!"
Yes.....yes you will!
I would like to say thank you to all of our friends and family who have supported Gavin and us throughout this journey, and thank you to those who are able to donate and support Gavin's gaming battle against cancer.
Thank You,
- Ken Boggs #GamerVsCancer #gamingbattlescancer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
My wife and I have created a foundation in Gavin's name, with the purpose to raise money for childhood cancer research and to assist families in need. We are Gavin's Warriors! #gogold #gavinswarriors
Click this link to be taken to The Gavin Warrior Foundation website.
Click here for Gavin's CaringBridge page where you can read more info on Gavin's journey.
Organizer
Ken Boggs II
Organizer
Rossford, OH
