This is Danny. He’s my 11 year-old cousin. He’s cute. He’s funny. He loves drawing and playing with his Star Wars Legos. He’s super smart - a sixth grader reading at a twelfth grade level! And sadly, shockingly, inexplicably, he was just diagnosed with a brain tumor.
A couple weeks back, he started complaining about headaches, and the kid’s not a whiner so his parents figured something was up. Nobody could have prepared for what the problem actually was. The MRI revealed a malignant tumor, and to make matters worse, it was the most aggressive and dangerous type - a “Grade 4.”
Danny had an extremely serious operation and the tumor was successfully removed, but he started complaining of more bad headaches last week. He went in for a follow-up surgery Wednesday to relieve pressure on his brain caused by an increase in cerebral spinal fluid in the frontal lobes of his brain. Yesterday he started receiving chemotherapy and radiation. Five days a week for the next seven weeks, he’ll receive chemo in the morning at 9am, followed by radiation at 11am. Not fun. He’s in a lot of pain and can’t keep anything down and the cancer has been wreaking havoc on his nerves and muscles.
Danny lives in Saint Louis, Missouri with three older siblings - Jake, 21, Rachel, 18, and Brandon, 15. Jake and Brandon just shaved their heads in support of Danny! He has two loving parents, George and Peggy. And he has some pretty outrageous hospital bills. Like, more outrageous than you’ve probably imagined. Without getting into specifics, the first bill (of many) that the family received totaled a good deal more than most peoples’ yearly salaries.
If you can keep Danny in your thoughts and prayers, that would be awesome. He also needs money. Every little bit helps. Are you going out drinking this weekend? Maybe have one less cocktail than you normally would, send that 10 bucks to Danny, and wake up with less of a hangover! Donating is fast, it’s easy, and it’ll make you feel good. I’ve set up a secure paypal account, just click on the yellow “DONATE” button at the top of this page.
100% of the money we make goes directly to Danny’s hospital bills. I’ll keep this site updated with news on Danny’s condition, and Danny’s going to send me some messages to post as well. I know we all can’t wait to see his health improve, and you can be a part of that. Thank you so very much in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Patrick Walsh
Hey!Please take the time to read this Tumblr written by one of my bestest friends and fellow 2 Broke Girls writer, Patrick Walsh. If you’re compelled to make a donation, please do. I also encourage you to reblog it, but HEY! Do what feels good!
(via medicalschool)
(Source: Spotify)
