Supporting Incredible Ivan

We are a few of Izzy’s close friends who love her like family. We have been honored to be a part of Izzy and Ivan’s lives for years, and now they need our support through this scary and overwhelming time. Those who know Izzy know that Ivan is her whole world. Ivan is a precious 7-year-old boy who is creative, silly, and incredibly sweet. He loves his puppy, Penny, and is a big fan of Pixar and Disney movies like WALL-E and Inside Out 2. Ivan is very close to Izzy’s parents and is beloved by his teachers at school.

We’ve created this fundraising page for many who have asked how to help support Izzy and Ivan while they cope with Ivan's n diagnosis of medulloblastoma, an aggressive pediatric brain cancer. Ivan’s treatment will be long and costly. His amazing mom, Izzy, is an ICU nurse and the sole provider for their household since the loss of her husband, Guillermo. Izzy is incredibly strong and independent, but right now Ivan needs her by his side through treatment and recovery.

Ivan has already made it through major brain surgery at Children's of Alabama to remove as much as possible of his tumor located near the cerebellum in the fourth ventricle. We are so grateful it was a successful initial surgery with nearly total removal of the tumor. Unfortunately, Ivan had to return after initial discharge for treatment related to persistent increased intracranial pressure. Ivan then endured another surgical procedure to allow excess fluid in his brain to drain and be reabsorbed at the base of his brain. Initially, Ivan also required a temporary external shunt to drain the cerebrospinal fluid and monitor his intracranial pressure. He was able to go home with his mom only a few days before being sent to Emory's Proton Radiation Center in Atlanta for six weeks of radiation treatment along with chemo treatments at an Atlanta Children's Hospital. Right now, we have set the monetary goal for estimated initial expenses but will update these goals when more information is available related to the out of pocket costs of these treatements and Ivan's first year of maintence chemo treatments. Izzy is also having to cut back on her work schedule once she returns to work as a critical care nurse at the beginning of November. This is a necessary step to support Ivan's ongoing inpatient treatments and overall health, but it is a financial sacrifice as well.

Thank you so much for desiring to support incredible Ivan and our precious friend. If you are not able to donate at this time, please feel free to pass this opportunity along to others who may also want to help Izzy and Ivan get through this time. Let’s continue to overwhelm them with support and love as they navigate this unexpected, brain cancer diagnosis. 

-Chelsea, Jessica, & Bri