Help Jude the Dude beat brain cancer

Jude “the dude” Gerard Marzen is a shy, sweet and caring 6 year old little boy. He loves Star Wars, specifically baby Yoda, dinosaurs and Hot Wheels. He adores playing with his older sisters as well as taking care of his younger brothers and sisters. If you ever need a warm and gentle hug, Jude is your guy. He might fall right in the middle of all of his brothers and sisters, however you could never miss the huge smile or smirk that is always on his face.

On Friday, September 9th, after experiencing severe headaches, Jude was diagnosed with a brain tumor at Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital. His doctors suspected it was malignant. That same night Jude had a drain in his brain placed to relieve pressure. On Monday, September 12th, he had brain surgery. Jude’s incredible doctors were able to remove the entire tumor. However, it was confirmed that Jude had a malignant brain tumor called medulloblastoma. He will require about a year of chemo and radiation and will begin both very soon at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Jude will have treatments every weekday at CHOP for about 2-3 months and then hopefully transition to treatments closer to home in the Lehigh Valley. He will also require both physical/occupational therapy as well as speech therapy as he is still very weak and not conversing a lot.

Jude’s parents, Paul and Maria, have been faithfully by Jude’s side every single day since Jude was diagnosed and admitted to the hospital. Both have taken turns sleeping overnight and being by his side as well as going home to see their other 6 children. Anyone who has been lucky enough to have met Paul and Maria know what selfless, kind, and extremely faithful people they are. Their devotion to not only Jude but all of their children during this difficult time has been inspiring.

With Jude’s treatment beginning at CHOP for the first 2-3 months, Paul and Maria will be looking for an apartment nearby CHOP in order to minimize the stress, driving and toll of these treatments not only on Jude but also on themselves. Jude will hopefully be able to see his brothers and sisters on the weekends as they will surely be missing one another. The goal of this GoFundMe is to help alleviate some of the financial burden set on Paul, Maria and the entire family. Any unused funds will be donated to pediatric cancer research.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. Every day Jude is progressing, smiling more and seeming to return to his normal self. With all of your love, prayers and support, as well as God’s healing love, Jude “the dude” will get through this.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” -Phillipians 4:13