Treatment for Alex

Alexandre Galt
Age: 10

Update / campaign changes Dec 2, 2017
After 3 major neuro surgeries and a number of smaller proceures (50+ hours of Neuro surgery); the latest MRI images show Alex "having no further discernible growth".  During the last major surgery the tumorous sack was so thick that doctors were able to lift the sack up off of his brain stem, taking the glob of Granuloma off.  There were 3 small peices that were unable to be removed due to being on major blood vessles.  The colateral damage caused by surgery still has Alex unable to speak, unable to stand or otherwise care for himself.

I'm changing this campaign for continuous care items: Wheelchair, wheelchair accessibility changes, home care equipment, etc... we still need help, but we don't need nearly as high of a goal.

To everyone that has helped our cause in any way, we are astouneded and deeply grateful.  To anyone else looking to help support Alex, we're happy to see you.  Treatment in the U. S. for Proton radiation is the next step for us from here.  Alex is far from "cured", but we can see a realistic and practical light at the end of this dark tunnel.

The story:
September 5th, 2017 Alex began to have problems staying awake and concentrating. By September 13th, Alex was diagnosed with 2 seperate but related brain tumours. After 2 massive surgeries lasting over 30+ hours, it was reduced to 20% of it's original size. The taratoma is extremely aggressive, and is nearly back to the size it was before the first surgery. Currently, conventional surgery cannot save Alex. There is an experimental treatment available that has the potential to work, but it is not available or covered in Canada due to its "experimental" status and doctor availability.

The details:
Our one last recourse is to seek help abroad, seeking LiTT (Laser Interstitial ThermoTherapy) after one more massive surgery.

The Taratoma is extremely resistant to radiation and chemotherapies. The granuloma, for which Alex has received 2 chemotherapy blocks (ineffective), and taratoma sit on the brain stem. The portions in this area are deemed inoperable with conventional surgical techniques.

LITT is a bleeding edge tech that has the ability to go where bulky tools cannot, but given the growth rate of the tumor it must gane access to and apply it as soon as practical.

The facts:
Without treatment/surgery, we get 6 more weeks with him. Not an option for us. We're stubborn that way, and so is Alex. He is still quite lucid, and though he has lost the ability of speech, he can let us know he isn't done yet.
With surgery, and treatment, we're in a position to clear the brain stem and get on top of this monster.
Please note, this is not a silver bullet technology. This is not a cure. This is treatment and hope for our son.

What do we need:
1. Any additional information on LiTT and LiTT providers is more than welcome. Our research amounts to reading treatment reports and clinical papers, most of which are on other major organs.
2. Given the time available, we're just asking for help. There are 20+ facilities in the US that have the treatment available, but getting pricing is near impossible at the moment (working on it - trust me we're motivated). We'd rather get started with this then wait until every i is dotted and T crossed, and too late to help. We'll mortgage and sell our souls for him, but any help is appretiated. We're looking at treatment, travel, and care expenses.

LITT overview