Bring Hope to Zach and His Family

April was a month filled with heartache for our family. My nephew, Zach Deane, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. This devastating news came while his father, Jason, was still

recovering from a stroke he suffered in February 2023. As if that wasn’t enough, Jason began experiencing seizures as a complication from his stroke, landing him back in the

hospital in December and again in early April 2024. Jason’s medical condition has caused him to lose the ability to drive for months and has kept him out of work thru the

majority of this time thru later this year. During this time, my sister was in another hospital with their son Zach. Zach’s mom not only had to be the caregiver to her husband but also has staying in the hospital with her son day and night.

It all began when Zach wasn’t feeling well. After initial treatment with antibiotics failed, additional bloodwork was completed by his doctor. The results were alarming and their

doctor referred him to RI Hasbro Children’s Hospital immediately. At Hasbro Children’s Hospital further tests revealed the unthinkable: Zach had a rare and aggressive form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. This cancer started with a mass on his prostate and has since spread to his bones, lungs, and spine, leading to the stage four diagnosis.

Every day that I am with him, I can’t help but question WHY? Or HOW! This is not how a 17 year-year-old should live. Despite the challenges, Zach remains resilient. He is a

senior at SBRHS and has a deep love for soccer, playing as a goalie since he was seven. His dream is to one day watch his favorite team, Manchester United, play a game. It’s heartbreaking to see a 17-year-old endure such pain and struggle.

The fight against cancer is a battle for the entire family. We’ve seen glimmers of hope with treatments from chemotherapy and radiation, but they come with their own set of hardships, making Zach very sick and weak. Our greatest wish is to see Zach back on the soccer field, spending time with friends, and graduating with his classmates. These dreams feel so distant now as he battles tumors on his spine, making it difficult for him to walk.

Watching Zach fight this disease is incredibly painful, but we continue to support him every day. Life doesn’t pause for our struggles; bills are over whelming our family. The family has been fortunate to receive small donations from various organizations and their hometown community. Zach is a brave young man, and we are humbly asking for your assistance and support during these challenging times. Your help can make a

significant difference in Zach’s fight and bring hope to our family.