Meet Brandon – Brain Tumor Warrior

"Thank you so much for helping us through this difficult time,” Stephanie said. “I’ve been able to keep our housing and bills paid with the NCCS’s assistance. My family is forever grateful. The fight continues.🩶"

When 2-year-old Brandon spiked a fever and became sluggish in early September of 2024, his mom, Stephanie, knew something wasn’t right. But nothing could have prepared her for what would come next.

That night, Stephanie put Brandon to bed, hoping rest would help. The next morning, Brandon wasn’t himself. His eyes were glassy, he was barely responsive, and he quietly told his mom, “My head hurts.” It was the first time he’d ever said those words.

Stephanie rushed Brandon to the emergency room. As they arrived, Brandon became even more lethargic and ultimately, unresponsive. Doctors immediately did a full work up, but shockingly, his labs came back normal. When Stephanie shared that Brandon had complained about his head that morning, the doctors ordered a CT scan. That scan changed everything, revealing a large mass on Brandon’s brain.

He was immediately transferred by ambulance to their local children’s hospital, where doctors discovered that the tumor was covering a quarter of his brain and pressing on his frontal lobe. The diagnosis: grade 4 CNS tumor with BCOR internal tandem duplication. In easier terms: a rare, aggressive brain tumor. Brandon was only the 33rd known case in the world.

Surgery was risky. Doctors warned Stephanie that even if the operation was successful, Brandon could be permanently paralyzed on his right side. While this was a huge risk, losing him was not an option. After surgery, he did experience right-side paralysis, but just one week later, Brandon lifted his hand and joyfully shot imaginary Spiderman webs at his mom. That moment gave Stephanie the hope she so desperately needed. Since then, Brandon has been undergoing physical therapy to regain mobility and strength.

If battling childhood cancer alongside your youngest child wasn’t challenging enough, Stephanie also cared for her two other children, ages 5 and 8, who she says are coping better than she ever expected with Brandon’s diagnosis.

Brandon bravely underwent multiple stem cell transplants, and Stephanie was grateful that he made it through each one without fevers or side effects. While the holidays were spent in the hospital, she shared that the season still held good moments and gratitude. Shortly after, Brandon faced several rounds of intensive chemotherapy. Despite it all, his spirit remains strong and unshaken.

Throughout it all, The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) has been by their side, providing support through the Transportation Assistance Fund, Emergency Assistance Fund, and educational resources like the free parent guide:  The Other Side of the Mountain: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer.

“Thank you so much for helping us through this difficult time,” Stephanie said. “I’ve been able to keep our housing and bills paid with the NCCS’s assistance. My family is forever grateful. The fight continues.🩶”

Brandon’s story is still being written, and every mile traveled to treatment brings him closer to healing. With his superhero strength and his family’s unwavering love, this little warrior is on the road to remission!