The Howard Family Needs Your Help

Eli Howard, a 7 year old first grader at Alexander Doniphan Elementary in Liberty, Missouri, was diagnosed with a Grade 2 Atypical Meningioma brain tumor in June. Eli was experiencing bad headaches, nausea and vomiting, along with weakness and the inability to use his right side. Eli had surgery at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City to remove as much of the 6 cm tumor as possible. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to remove the entire tumor. Occupational and physical therapy followed Eli’s surgery, along with a lengthy hospital stay.

In September, during Eli’s three month follow up MRI at Children’s Mercy, doctors found that his brain tumor had grown significantly.  Eli’s parents, Samantha and Jason, sought out a second opinion at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early October.  They were very pleased with the care plan presented by the neurologist and oncologist at Mayo.

On November 6 Eli will have an angiogram to test the blood flow of the vein that the tumor is attached to followed by a second brain surgery November 8.  The doctors’ plan for Eli is to recover for a few weeks in the hospital before beginning a course of radiation treatments at Mayo.

The Howard family will be far from home during the upcoming holidays as they seek the best treatment possible for Eli. They know that there is no other choice, but financially, it will not be easy.  Both Samantha and Jason have worked sporadically since Eli’s diagnosis in June. Your support will help offset the cost of lodging, meals, transportation, and medical bills. Please consider helping the Howards as they face some very difficult days ahead!