#PrayersForSeppe. Giuseppe's tumor has grown back. UPDATE

Please keep the Struppa family in your prayers and if you can donate anything at all, they would be very grateful.

From Lisa:

Hi friends,

I wish I had a good update. Last week, I noticed Seppe holding his arm up a bit and he had a slight limp. Mike took him to Children's where a doctor said he looked good and that his limp was from a twisted ankle from playing. They didn't want to do an MRI because the big 2-month MRI was coming up (it was yesterday). I knew the results before they told us. His tumor is back. In the same spot, with extra nodules in his brain fluid. The tumor is almost as big as it was before. We're crushed and heartbroken all over again. He is scheduled for another brain surgery on Friday, followed by re-radiation.

My poor baby. He was so proud of his little fuzzy hair that just grew back. He was doing so well on the ice. He was getting weekly private skating lessons with his amazing coach so he could be a rockstar on the ice next season. He's on a soccer team and loves every second of it. And he was coming home from school, excited to tell us all about his days. Now we have to restart it all again.

All that money and the billion of hoops we jumped through to get that medication, and it didn't work. And options are getting slimmer.

It sucks so bad but we're trying to stay positive. The regrowth opens up a few new clinical trials. So I'm researching again like a mad woman.

Please continue to pray for Seppe, for us, and for little Dom that told me yesterday: "It's ok because Seppe's already done all this. He'll get better even faster this time."

11/29 Update

Giuseppe had his follow up MRI, oncology and neurosurgeon appointments today.

The radiation successfully shrunk the tumor cells, however, there are still areas of concern.

Giuseppe is starting his medication from Germany at a cost of $1400 per week. Today they were told there is an additional medication he will need to start which is $10,000 per dose and insurance will likely fight it.

As you can imagine, this is a very daunting and exhausting marathon for this family, who, a few months ago had a normal life.

Let’s continue to share this GoFundMe on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and talk about it with friends and family.

Giuseppe needs us and Lisa, Mike and Dom need Giuseppe.

on behalf of the Struppa’s, thank-you. ❤️

My name is Caroline and I’m here asking for as much or as little help as you can possibly give to the wonderful Struppa Family.

In early September, their amazing, smart, caring, hockey loving, empathetic 10 year old son Giuseppe was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma (formerly called DIPG ), a very aggressive form of brain cancer. One day he was starting 5th grade and the next he was rushed from UMass Medical to Children’s hospital for emergency brain surgery. While most of the tumor was removed, some of the cells remained in his brain stem. Life changed in an instant.

After a long 36 day course of radiation, Seppe is home with his little brother, parents and his beloved chickens and dogs.

The next steps will be the most important and this is where we need the most help.

Lisa and Mike have connected with a doctor in Germany who can provide them with a medication that is not yet available in the US except through a drug trial. Trials have a lot of controls, one of which could result in Giuseppe receiving a placebo. Naturally, Mom and Dad want to be sure Seppe is able to receive this promising medication and time is of the essence.

We are hoping to raise enough money to ease the burden of the costly medication and possible travel to Germany in the near future.

Lisa is a high school art teacher and Mike is a US Army veteran, Southbridge Firefighter and Director of Veterans Services in Sturbridge, MA. Together they have given so much to several communities throughout their lives. It’s time now for us to support them in their time of need.

Please consider donating and please, please share this page wherever you can.

On behalf of the Struppa Family, Thank-you.