Ethan's Journey: Conquering a Brain Tumor

On Oct. 1, 2023, the family of 14-year-old Ethan Weiner received devastating news: Their beloved son has a large brain tumor deep in his head.

To give Ethan the best chance at recovery, he needs brain surgery and specialized treatment at a renowned hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The family, who lives in Phoenix, AZ—mom Deborah, father Jack, and younger brother, Matthew—will be flying there immediately.

Deborah is the Tiered Support Specialist (SEL) at Desert Trails Elementary and has helped countless children and families. She has also lost her ability to tutor before and after school which was a large part of her income.

Jack, owner of Trimlight Phoenix, is being forced to step away from his business in the height of his season to attend to his sick son and this will have a great affect on him, as well.

As you can imagine, this sudden and extremely serious diagnosis has turned all of their world’s upside down. And, in addition to the emotional toll, there is also a significant financial burden. The cost of Ethan's treatment, including surgery and follow-up care, is substantial, and despite having insurance coverage, the out-of-pocket expenses are mounting rapidly. The family is faced with the daunting task of covering travel expenses, a place to stay in Memphis during treatment, loss of income due to extended leave from work with no pay, and mounting medical bills.

By contributing to this GoFundMe campaign, you can make a tangible difference in Ethan's life. Your donations will help alleviate the financial burden on his family, allowing them to focus solely on Ethan's well-being.

About Ethan

Ethan is a sweet, kind boy who is an aspiring photographer and an avid plane spotter. He often spends hours capturing breathtaking moments through his camera lens. His photos have even been reposted on social media by well-known airlines, and published in magazines, and on websites. While he is now spending his days in the hospital, he is longing to be back taking his photos. (Instagram: @esw_plane_pix)

UPDATE: At the beginning of his medical journey, Ethan coined a mantra "Have a Good Tude, Dude". As a way to give back, Ethan started a fundraiser to help other children who may be having serious medical issues. He decided to sell merchandise with the mantra printed on t-shirts, hats and stickers! Here is the link! https://haveagoodtudedude.com/