Hi, my name is Hannah Konetzke and I am organizing a fundraiser for Chance Van Stippen, an amazing 14 year old kiddo whose mom, Shayla, has been a long time friend of mine. On Wednesday, October 26th, after several hospital visits and procedures, and receiving a general brain cancer diagnosis, Chance’s Oncologist had the full pathology report with his official diagnosis. Chance was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma. A cancer with a fatal diagnosis. They gave Chance a year to a year and a half left to live. He completed 6 weeks of radiation, with the plan then to give him the best life possible, and to cherish every moment with him On Friday, June 30th, after further complications that Chance was experiencing and after testing, an MRI showed his tumor looked good, and was actually smaller than it was at his 3 month post radiation check. But before they could celebrate, they were told the MRI showed another growth on the right side of his brain. Fast forwarding a few more weeks, Chance began again experiencing more significant symptoms. His doctor ordered not only an MRI on his brain but he wanted to get a spine MRI done to make sure the tumor/cancer hadn’t spread to his spine. He completed the 3 hour brain and spine MRI. In giving the results, the doctor began by apologizing that he didn’t have good news, news that no parent should ever have to hear. The second mass in Chance’s brain had grown significantly since the previous month. While his original tumor has stayed under control and still not continued to grow back, his other tumor is growing at a fast rate. As if it couldn’t get worse, they were then told that Chance’s tumor/cancer had spread to his spine. From the top to the bottom, it is now all throughout his spine. All of the symptoms he’s been having are due to the second tumor growing, but as well as the spread along his spine. He then began to explain that because it has spread to his spine, this is what is causing Chance a lot of weakness and lack of mobility… These are the beginning things Chance will begin to notice, but eventually Chance will lose feeling in his legs and his arms, and will essentially be paralyzed. At this point, there are not many options left for Chance. His doctor did talk to his radiation doctor to ask if he would be willing to do another round of radiation on his spine, and the radiologist has agreed that he will. Unfortunately— they are not sure how much time it will buy. They said they will not be able to get rid of it, it will only buy a little time and the side effects from radiation this time around will be more noticeable, and more significant effects because of the large area that has to receive radiation. So with that being said— Chance will be doing another round of radiation in hopes to add some time. In the meantime while waiting to start radiation again, the family is going to attempt to grant one of Chance’s dreams of going to Marioworld in California with his siblings, before he starts to lose mobility even more. As you can imagine, the bills have piled up, making it difficult to take a family of 5 on this incredibly important trip. It would be amazing if we could come together to help in making this happen for Chance. Chance is the most deserving and sweetest boy ever. He has been through so much and does not deserve the cards he has been dealt, but absolutely deserves for this wish to come true. If you can help in any way, it would be unbelievably appreciated. Please continue to keep Chance in your thoughts and prayers, as they navigate through this difficult journey that no child or family should ever have to go through. Pray for Chance’s strength, as well as his family. #ChanceStrong
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