Peyton Trilling's fight against Cancer

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share Peyton’s story. We would love for you to share this with any of your friends and family, but at this time the family requests that you not post this on social media. 

Peyton Trilling, a High School Freshman, has been quietly waging a three year battle against a rare and aggressive cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma. These silent tumors were found in her knee, lungs and next to her heart. Peyton has endured hair-losing chemotherapy, intense radiation, surgical procedures and CT scans that have taken much of her childhood.

Peyton initially responded well to treatment, and she was even able to “Ring the Bell” when she was cancer free last summer, but the family was heartbroken when Peyton’s cancer returned soon thereafter. Now, Peyton must have weekly chemotherapy to try to keep her cancer under control, but this is not sustainable because of the toxicity on her young body.

In the meantime, to add insult to injury, because of the radiation to Peyton’s knee, her bones have become brittle and damaged. This makes even walking a challenge. After discussing her options with her doctors earlier this year, from reconstruction to amputation, surgeons were hopeful that a knee replacement could give Peyton the ability to walk comfortably. With this, her dream of running the soccer field was alive again and surgery was scheduled.

As part of the pre-operation protocol, Peyton had to stop chemo four weeks before surgery to help increase her white count. Unfortunately, the night before surgery, Peyton felt a pain in her chest. A scan revealed a tumor next to her heart was active again. Peyton’s anticipated knee surgery was immediately put on hold, and the family was thrown into the reality that a new battle was about to begin.

Over the next few days, Peyton’s team of doctors collaborated on possible next steps. The decision was just made to begin intense proton radiation therapy every day for 4-6 weeks and maintain continued chemotherapy. Peyton just started radiation treatment, and the family is holding their breath that this treatment will work for the time being, but this is not a long term solution.

There is hope for a long term cure with a new form of treatment called Immunotherapy. It is the new frontier in cancer and works by amplifying the body’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer, without the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. Immunotherapy has been very effective in other types of cancer, but is still in the early stages of use in Sarcoma. This is Peyton’s best hope for a permanent cure.

In Peyton’s case, oncologists can create a personalized immunotherapy treatment plan that is based on her specific tumor to hopefully activate and train her cancer-fighting T-Cells to attack her cancer at the cellular level.

Unfortunately, the immunotherapy treatments available to Peyton are not covered by insurance, and the anticipated costs are significant, along with medical facilities, travel and other healthcare expenses. The costs could be well over $100,000.

Any support towards Peyton’s care would be truly appreciated and would allow the Trilling Family to focus on what is most important, time together and the best possible treatment for Peyton. This Cancer process takes so much out of not only the patient but their entire family and the stress of treatment options, costs, etc. takes away from where their focus needs to be right now and that is with their beautiful daughter. Please support through GoFundMe anyway you possibly can!

Through everything, Peyton will never let cancer define her. She’s the kindest kid you’ll ever meet, she’s vegan and loves her dog Winnie (more than anything), and she raises money for cancer research. It’s no surprise that she wants to be a human rights activist when she grows up. Your support will help give the Trilling family more options, more time together and give Peyton the ability to make her dreams come true.