Warrior Jack Fights Cancer
Donation protected
Our Story
2020 was unforgettable. On August 4, we took Jack in for a routine eye exam where we expected the usual increase in prescription. Instead we were sent to the hospital on suspicion of intracranial pressure. 1 week, 2 MRIs and a 3 hour biopsy later, we learned that our sweet boy Jack (one week shy of turning 6 years old) had a brain tumour and our world would change forever. The following weeks became a blur - trying to celebrate Jack’s 6th birthday “normally” while anxiously waiting for pathology results to give us more information about the diagnosis and treatment plan. In late August, we finally learned that Jack has an inoperable and uncurable Grade 4 diffuse midline glioma (DMG) mainly in the thalamus (the area of the brain that controls sensory and motor signals), but that it had also spread to other areas of the brain - basically that it is malignant and fast-growing. We were shocked - Jack never presented any obvious symptoms apart from the occasional headache. We poured countless hours researching the diagnosis and connecting with close to 60 physicians around world for advice. Prognosis is poor, showing an average survival rate of only 25%. While we were devastated, we leaned on positive affirmations, love and support from family/friends and prayers to God. We were determined to defy the statistics because Jack is a warrior.
Jack endured 31 days of radiation therapy. He took it like a champ skipping into the RT room. He had a bit of fatigue and nausea, and ended up with a new hair-do. We were and are SO proud of him!
After a few great months post radiation and thinking we had defeated this monster, Jack started to present with seizures, balance, speech and memory issues. All of which reminded us that we must continue to stay strong and fight this disease and to live each day with gratitude. Jack has had lots of ups and downs and the road ahead has many unknowns. Despite all of the hurdles, he still wakes up with a smile giving us his love and laughs with his big compassionate heart. Besides enjoying his Magna-tiles and Legos, Jack is our brave warrior blazing his own trail and determined to “make the cancer go away” as he says. Jack has a younger brother Sam. While Sam doesn’t completely comprehend what is happening with his Goh Goh (older brother in Chinese), he has been so loving and provides us with a lot of comic relief in the house.
There is no cure for DMG and there are not many proven treatments available. Jack is currently taking a targeted inhibitor/cancer drug, as well as an experimental drug called ONC201 (thanks to some good friends who were able to bring it back to HK for us). Jack also follows a number of natural therapies including a specific diet, supplements, and other therapies. Some possible options down the road include clinical trials, experimental drugs and immunotherapy.
How can you help?
We share this with you to increase awareness about pediatric brain cancer. The National Cancer Institute allocates 96% of its cancer research funding towards adult cancer and the remaining 4% is divided up across approximately 400 types of childhood cancers each with its own molecular biology and unique treatment options. It is not okay that our kids are only getting 4%. It is not okay to keep hearing doctors tell families to “Go home and make memories”.
We hope to help accelerate research in this area by way of donated funds. We would be most grateful for any donations - big or small. All donated funds will go towards Jack’s treatments and a charity or foundation dedicated to pediatric brain cancer research.
Cancer sucks but we are so so grateful for everyone's support and prayers. We ask that you continue to send strong prayers and positive vibes for Jack. It is a marathon not a sprint, and we will defeat this.
Lots of love,
Karen, Mike, Jack & Sam
*As a gesture of appreciation, @Cheline55HK who is the mother of Jack’s best friend, Raya, will be making fun superhero capes for any child who wants one, for donations above CAD200. More details on the capes can be found on Instagram @ChelinesCapes
**The story we share above is written by Karen Hoi Yee Tang, the beneficiary of this campaign. All donations will go towards cancer treatment for her son Jack and a charity or foundation dedicated to pediatric brain cancer.
2020 was unforgettable. On August 4, we took Jack in for a routine eye exam where we expected the usual increase in prescription. Instead we were sent to the hospital on suspicion of intracranial pressure. 1 week, 2 MRIs and a 3 hour biopsy later, we learned that our sweet boy Jack (one week shy of turning 6 years old) had a brain tumour and our world would change forever. The following weeks became a blur - trying to celebrate Jack’s 6th birthday “normally” while anxiously waiting for pathology results to give us more information about the diagnosis and treatment plan. In late August, we finally learned that Jack has an inoperable and uncurable Grade 4 diffuse midline glioma (DMG) mainly in the thalamus (the area of the brain that controls sensory and motor signals), but that it had also spread to other areas of the brain - basically that it is malignant and fast-growing. We were shocked - Jack never presented any obvious symptoms apart from the occasional headache. We poured countless hours researching the diagnosis and connecting with close to 60 physicians around world for advice. Prognosis is poor, showing an average survival rate of only 25%. While we were devastated, we leaned on positive affirmations, love and support from family/friends and prayers to God. We were determined to defy the statistics because Jack is a warrior.
Jack endured 31 days of radiation therapy. He took it like a champ skipping into the RT room. He had a bit of fatigue and nausea, and ended up with a new hair-do. We were and are SO proud of him!
After a few great months post radiation and thinking we had defeated this monster, Jack started to present with seizures, balance, speech and memory issues. All of which reminded us that we must continue to stay strong and fight this disease and to live each day with gratitude. Jack has had lots of ups and downs and the road ahead has many unknowns. Despite all of the hurdles, he still wakes up with a smile giving us his love and laughs with his big compassionate heart. Besides enjoying his Magna-tiles and Legos, Jack is our brave warrior blazing his own trail and determined to “make the cancer go away” as he says. Jack has a younger brother Sam. While Sam doesn’t completely comprehend what is happening with his Goh Goh (older brother in Chinese), he has been so loving and provides us with a lot of comic relief in the house.
There is no cure for DMG and there are not many proven treatments available. Jack is currently taking a targeted inhibitor/cancer drug, as well as an experimental drug called ONC201 (thanks to some good friends who were able to bring it back to HK for us). Jack also follows a number of natural therapies including a specific diet, supplements, and other therapies. Some possible options down the road include clinical trials, experimental drugs and immunotherapy.
How can you help?
We share this with you to increase awareness about pediatric brain cancer. The National Cancer Institute allocates 96% of its cancer research funding towards adult cancer and the remaining 4% is divided up across approximately 400 types of childhood cancers each with its own molecular biology and unique treatment options. It is not okay that our kids are only getting 4%. It is not okay to keep hearing doctors tell families to “Go home and make memories”.
We hope to help accelerate research in this area by way of donated funds. We would be most grateful for any donations - big or small. All donated funds will go towards Jack’s treatments and a charity or foundation dedicated to pediatric brain cancer research.
Cancer sucks but we are so so grateful for everyone's support and prayers. We ask that you continue to send strong prayers and positive vibes for Jack. It is a marathon not a sprint, and we will defeat this.
Lots of love,
Karen, Mike, Jack & Sam
*As a gesture of appreciation, @Cheline55HK who is the mother of Jack’s best friend, Raya, will be making fun superhero capes for any child who wants one, for donations above CAD200. More details on the capes can be found on Instagram @ChelinesCapes
**The story we share above is written by Karen Hoi Yee Tang, the beneficiary of this campaign. All donations will go towards cancer treatment for her son Jack and a charity or foundation dedicated to pediatric brain cancer.
Fundraising team (2)
Jacqueline Tang
Organizer
Toronto, ON
Karen Tang
Beneficiary
Michael Fong
Team member