CALLI STRONG - help Calli fight and beat Cancer!

Those who are lucky enough to know Calli Rae know that she has a strong personality and to know her is to love her. She is caring and sweet, and brings such happiness and joy to the people around her. She is truly a ray of sunshine. My name is Danielle Surma and I have the pleasure of being Calli Rae’s unofficial aunt. Calli’s mom and I grew up together. And now we both have daughters who are only 10 weeks apart in age, who are able to also grow up together and become best friends just like us.

On Friday, December 29th 2023, 20 month old Calli went to the hospital due to her being sick for over a week and just could not shake it. Calli also was digressing with her motor skills and stopped walking two days prior.

After an MRI it was confirmed that Calli had a 5cm tumor attached to her cerebellum in her brain that is the size of a small orange. It has been likely growing there for the past 10 months.

On January 1st 2024 Calli underwent multiple procedures to check her spine and insert a drain into her brain to relieve some fluid. Results came back that her spine is tumor free, and they relieved the fluid in her brain. The drain will remain in her head for the next few days.

On January 2nd 2024 at 7:30am Calli underwent an 8 hour long surgery to remove the tumor and send it off for more testing to determine type and stage of cancer and have a full diagnosis. As it is almost a 0% chance that a tumor in a toddler is benign.

The surgeons were able to get 98% of the tumor, and Calli remained sedated so they could run another MRI to see if she needed a second surgery.

The good news is that she does not need a second surgery, and the team of doctors thinks they can get the rest of the tumor with some sort of treatment.

Calli will likely need rehab along with treatment as she continues to heal. Once the biopsy comes back there will be more answers. With that being said, Calli has a long road of fighting ahead.

Traci is Calli’s mom and they are going to need all the support and help they can get. Traci is also due with baby girl number 2 early March of 2024.

I am creating this GoFundMe in an attempt to alleviate any kind of financial burden for Calli’s mom so she can focus on helping her daughter get better and recover.

Thank you for all the ongoing love, support, and prayers. As I know they are eternally grateful.

#callistrong #sunshineforcalli