In November of 2017, at the age of 14 our son Will was daignosised with a brain tumor that caused a build up of fluid in his brain, requiring immediate surgery. Within the hour Will was transported from Wentworth Douglass Emergency Department to Boston Childrens Hospital. Will underwent brain surgery to reduce the pressure in his brain. The doctors were unable to remove the tumor due to its location. in the pineal gland. This type of tumor is called NGGCT or nongerminomatous germ cell tumor. It can occur anywhere in the brain and or spine. Will underwent many weeks of chemotherapy and proton beam radiation to his head and spine. This required mulitple admissions and great lengths of stay in Boston Childrens, Dana Farber and Mass General. Will responded well from treatment and has been in "surveillance mode" as per his doctors. Will requires post monitoring every three months.
This cost him to miss the majority of his freshman year. A time of new beginnings for young teens. Where new friendships are formed, playing sports and having fun.
Will never felt sorry for himself. I once asked him if he ever felt sorry for himself. His response was "mom, look all around you. We are in the gates of hell seeing all these little kids getting chemo. They have it worse them me."
Our son had to grow up fast and showed great strength and resilence in battling this terrible disease.
We are asking for people to join us in raising money for the Seacoast Cancer 5K.
With gratitude, Audrey, Bill, Will, & Gaby
Join the party when 3,000 walkers and runners rock the Seacoast Cancer 5K on Sunday, September 22 in Dover, NH. One of the region’s largest fundraising events, it’s a celebration of life and the lifesaving work of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Seacoast Cancer Center.
The Seacoast Cancer 5K is a positive experience from beginning to end, with hundreds of neighbors, friends and family lining the route to cheer. And at the start/finish line, you’ll find music, food and activities for the kids. Best of all, every dollar raised supports cancer care right here in our community.
Proceeds from the Seacoast Cancer 5K support the Survivorship, Health and Wellness Program at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital which extends the clinical expertise needed to develop and monitor care plans for the growing number of survivors. These services help patients regain and improve their health for the long term and are individualized, based on their specific needs. Care plans may include things like smoking cessation programs, exercise and physical rehabilitation, genetic testing, as well as seminars and workshops for both survivors and their families.
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