Sawyer is a happy, sassy and active 6-year old girl. However, on April 23rd, 2016 a large tumor was discovered on her brain. She was rushed to UVA Medical Center where she had an operation and the tumor was successfully removed!  After removing the tumor, Sawyer was diagnosed with stage 3 Anaplastic Ependymoma. This type of brain cancer is so rare that Sawyer was immediately accepted into St Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. She spent her summer at St Jude, with her mom and dad, while she had proton radaition treatments in hopes of beating cancer.  


Sawyer returned home in August after completing her first round of radiation.  She was welcomed home by friends, family and neighbors that helped build her the play house of her dreams.  Since her summer was occupied by having numerous test and radiation treatments, as well as being away from home for several months, her loved ones wanted her to have a place to just be a kid and spend time with her brothers and sister.  
Life was seeming to come back into a routine, when it was time for a follow up visit to St. Jude.  So on March 22, 2017 Sawyer and her mom, Jamie, traveled to St. Jude for new scans and tests, hoping that her battle with cancer was coming to an end.  But, the results were not good.  A new tumor, that was discovered on a follow up visit in November, has now grown significantly and there are 2 more areas of concern (that could also be new tumors).  

Sawyer had her second brain surgery, in less than one year, and the surgery went well.  The tumor was much bigger than doctor expected but he believes he was able to get it all! He had to go right through the two halves of her brain so she may have some right side weakness but she is strong and her parents are hopeful.  The tumor was sent to pathology and as soon as the tests are run, Sawyer's team of doctors will decide which course of treatment to pursue.  The doctors have hinted that they want to be aggressive in their treatment plan, which could mean that Sawyer and her parents would be spending the next few months at St. Jude in Memphis (not working and away from their other children). 


Jamie is a mother of 4 children. She was a school teacher for 12 years but she has not been able to work for the past school year because she has been taking care of her sick daughter.  She has been with Sawyer's for every test, treatment and surgery this disease as put Sawyer through.  Her children are the center of her world.

Nathan is a father of 3 children. He is local small business owner and works a part time as a bartender to provide for his children. Since Sawyer has been sick, he has stayed by his daughter's side!  As a result, when he is with his daughter and not at work he does not get paid.   


If you would consider donating money to help take care of Sawyer during her treatments, help pay the medical bills that will start coming in, and help pay the family bills it would mean the world to Jamie, Nathan and their families.

Thank you for your support! #prayersforsawyer