Andrew was one of our very first PAX Warriors. We provided Andrew and his family with insurance consultation, home-cooked, hand-delivered meals and financial support during 2013 and 2014. We took a collective sigh of relieve when Andrew went into remission, and assistance from PAX was no longer needed.
We are heart-broken to relay the news we received last month, ironically in the midst of our final preparations for the Gold Gala: Andrew’s cancer has returned – again. This is Andrew’s 4th reoccurrence with Glioblastoma. This time, it’s deemed to be in ‘the most aggressive form’, as it appears to be originating in his spine / spinal fluid and the tumors are said to be spreading aggressively and rapidly. Andrew’s oncology team at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin delivered the worst possible news: there is nothing more they could do to treat Andrew. In summary, no traditional treatment course exists – anywhere – to treat Andrew’s cancer.
With a dire sense of urgency, Andrew and his parents immediately flew to California, where Andrew became a participant in an experimental trial at UC-San Francisco. This is the first time this particular trial is being performed on a human. It’s considered to be palliative in nature – in hopes to prevent the tumors from spreading further.
Upon hearing the crushing news about our darling boy, the PAX Board quickly assembled and unanimously approved a motion to re-activate Andrew’s Warrior status. In an effort to absorb the enormous financial strains associated with experimental treatment and travel related expenses that his family is going to incur, PAX provided Andrew with financial support equivalent to that which is typically allocated to an active warrior for one year.
Andrew has been undergoing the experimental treatment for the last three weeks. Andrew reports that he feels good – and, ironically, continues to remain essentially asymptomatic. Next week, Andrew will undergo an MRI; we remain hopeful the results will be positive.
Please join us in sending endless amounts of PaxLove to Andrew and his family. May they feel the warmth from our Army of Love surround them. And, may knowing that he is not alone in this fight, bring Andrew’s beautiful heart even the slightest sense of peace.
Stay brave, darling boy.
