Rj's Brain Cancer Treatment Journey

Hello,

I am Victoria, and this is a fundraiser for my nephew, RJ.

RJ is a 16-year-old junior in high school who is outgoing, caring, funny, but most of all, empathetic. He loves being with his friends skateboarding and riding bikes but has also always been the person to offer a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on. He is the type of person who will always be up for an adventure and will show up with a steady demeanor.

About a month ago, RJ began experiencing extreme migraines and consistent vomiting for two weeks. He tried to go to Patient First, but the issue remained unresolved. The headaches and vomiting persisted. On September 18, 2023, RJ went to Upper Chesapeake, hopeful to find an answer to his unrelenting pain. The scans revealed a mass on the pineal area of the brain, which resulted in an emergency transfer to John Hopkins Children's Hospital. The following day, RJ underwent brain surgery to drain the fluid that was accumulating, release the pressure around his brain, and to retrieve a biopsy.

The doctors were able to successfully biopsy the mass, however, RJ’s vision was impaired by the tumor. He remained in the hospital for five days, recovering and slowly, showing signs of improvement. On Tuesday, September 26, 2023 the results from the biopsy came back as cancerous. The John Hopkins neuro team presented the best possible treatment plan: to aggressively attack the cancer with a 6-11 month chemotherapy and radiation treatment. On Friday, October 13, 2023 RJ received his port and his first round of treatment.

Despite the exhaustion, stress, and pain of the treatment plan, RJ, in his true warrior spirit, has requested to live his life as normal as possible and continue to go to school, spend time with family and friends, and hopefully continue to skateboard.

RJ has touched so many lives with his adventurous spirit and expansive kindness. I am hoping that as we come together in support of his journey to recovery, we can raise some money to lighten the burden of the hospital trips, doctors appointments, and ongoing treatment.

This fundraiser will go directly to him and his family.

Please share.

Thank you,

Victoria