Donate to Hunter LaRosa's Journey to Recovery

Hi, my name is Ali Nielsen. Pete and Denise LaRosa along with their 3 boys Mason (14), Hunter (11) and Spencer (10) are my neighbors and good friends. On March 25th, 2024, Hunter visited his pediatrician due to persistent stomach pains and vomiting. Despite multiple examinations, the pediatrician dismissed these symptoms as severe constipation and sent him home without further testing or remedy.

Dissatisfied with this diagnosis, Pete and Denise watched Hunter struggle with severe abdominal pain and a diminished quality of life. Determined to find answers, they sought the expertise of a gastroenterologist, who examined Hunter for several weeks without reaching a definitive conclusion.

If you have children of your own or a loved one, you know when something is wrong and you will not give up until you have answers and a solution. Pete and Denise did just that. They continued on and enlisted additional specialists, including a new gastroenterologist and pediatrician. These professionals approached Hunter's symptoms with a fresh perspective, recognizing that his condition was more complex than mere constipation. They were thorough, attentive, and committed to understanding the full scope of Hunter’s symptoms.

After exhausting all other avenues, these doctors decided to admit Hunter to the ER at Cohen’s Children’s Hospital for a comprehensive examination. Cohen’s conducted numerous tests, including an MRI. On July 12th, they received the devastating news: Hunter had two lesions in his brain, identified as germ cell tumors. These tumors affect the pituitary gland which controls many important body functions through the hormones it produces.

His treatment will involve a series of chemotherapy sessions and radiation to eradicate the growths.

I am reaching out to friends, family, and the community for support. Pete had to take an unknown amount of time off from work so he and Denise can travel back and forth to the hospital to be with Hunter while also still taking care of the other 2 boys. Any contribution, no matter how small, will significantly impact Hunter’s fight against this diagnosis. Your donations will go directly towards Hunter’s care and treatment.

Please help us give Hunter the best chance to overcome this challenge. Together, we can help Hunter fight this battle to recovery and bring some light into his family's life during these dark times.