Help Parker SMASH this tumor!

Parker Kneeland was diagnosed with a Pilocytic Astrocytoma brain tumor on March 29, 2019 at just 4 years old.  He underwent emergency surgery at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City to remove fluid pressure on his brain and then an extensive 8 hour brain surgery 3 days later to remove the 4 cm tumor.  That’s over an inch and a half in size, to put it into perspective. The partially connected tumor was attached to his cerebellum and needed to be removed as soon as possible, as it was putting pressure on his spinal cord. 

He is currently undergoing chemotherapy every Wednesday, 4 weeks on 2 weeks off, until December 2020 to shrink the remaining portion of the tumor that was not able to be removed during surgery. His diagnosis has been the best possible, however, it has taken an emotional and financial toll with trips to Iowa City weekly and numerous other appointments including PT/OT, labs and ER visits.  Even with his diagnosis and medical appointments, Parker was able to start preschool this fall and has been learning so much!  We are impressed and so proud with how he has handled everything he has been put through.  He is strong, and so is his mommy, Shelby, who recently ran out of FMLA leave, was denied a personal leave from her job and was then let go a few days later, which all just seems so unfair under these circumstances.  Their family really has been put through a lot the past few months.  Living through all of this has made us realize as much as Parker just wants to be a normal little boy, he’s not. He’s our extraordinary superhero, and so are all of you. You guys are superheroes for providing all this love and support through this entire journey

Let's help Parker SMASH this tumor! #parkerSMASH