Hope for the Hobgoods

Hello family and friends of the Hobgood and Stoever Families

Many of you know by now that Matt and Katie's 3-year-old son, Griffin, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. They took Griffin to the emergency room June 1st because he had a couple random falls, followed by vomiting and his balance was off. A CT scan found a lime-sized malignant brain tumor near his brain stem called a Medulloblastoma. The doctors said it is likely that Griffin has had this since birth, and it is now causing hydrocephaly (pressure on his brain). The type of Medulloblastoma has not yet been determined so they do not know the extent of the treatment he will require after surgery, but we do know Griffin will need chemotherapy, and possibly radiation and other therapies depending on what they find during the surgery. Griffin’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, June 3rd, at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

We are heartbroken for them, but we do not live without hope in Christ who conquered the grave and can do big things. He has all of this in His hands. He can bring a peace that surpasses all understanding and we are thankful He draws near to us in these difficult times. Please be praying for wisdom and guidance for the doctors and surgeons, Griffin’s post-op recovery, for Matt & Katie to be able to get rest and make the best decisions moving forward, and for their other three children (ages 1, 4 and 6) to be able to adjust to the changes ahead.

We are reaching out on their behalf to those in their community as well as our own friends to ask that you consider making a donation as they take on the potentially insurmountable medical bills that come with a serious childhood cancer such as this.

Please keep them in your prayers and feel free to share Bible verses and/or comments of encouragement below for them to read.

Griffin's middle name is James and this is the verse Matt & Katie are holding onto during this time:

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬