Jean DeVries
Gold Member
- 445
Asking for prayers for a little boy named Max Nunn. If you have a Carepages account, you can log in and read his story, but here's the synopsis:
In 2009, Max was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent whatever horrors a child has to go through to get rid of the brain tumor, and it was gone for a couple of months.
Just when life began to return to normal at his house, it struck again. This time, with a vengeance. The doctors told his parents there was basically nothing they could do. His parents went looking for more.
There were a few different trials going on with an experimental medicine that his doctors, as well as many other reputable doctors in the childhood cancer field felt would be his best hope for a cure. He did not qualify for the trials on what was basically a technicality. The drug company, Genentech, also refused to give him the medicine on a compassionate use case because he didn't qualify.
Well, his parents persisted, as most would, got the word out, used the power of social media to their advantage, and had everyone on the planet calling and rallying for this little boy. We've called news organizations, magazines, Oprah, Ellen, and everywhere else we could think of.
On Friday, they got the call that Genentech had changed their mind and would give him the drug on an experimental/compassionate use case, pending approval from the FDA.
On Saturday, Max's symptoms worsened. He can no longer speak, is basically paralyzed on his right side, and hospice has been brought in for pain management.
Today, his doctor talked to the FDA, and Max will begin receiving the drug on Tuesday.
Through it all, his parents have been very forthcoming about raising awareness of childhood cancer, and the toll it takes on all children with cancer, not just their own. They have been extremely unselfish, caring, and cognizant of the fact that their child is just one of many.
I'll post links at the bottom to various things that tell Max's story, but his story is just part of the greater story - of kids who are dying of cancer every day in this country, of drugs that are just out of reach, and of families being forever changed.
Please pray that Max can hold on until Tuesday, that the drugs work, and that all children with cancer have an opportunity for a better life and sick-free future.
Jean
Facebook Pages: MaxNunn, TeamMax, Give Max Hope
YouTube - GIVE MAX HOPE: the story of 7yr old Max Nunn
YouTube - New cancer drug gives family hope
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/posted.php?id=111279275601288&share_id=106212739445566&comments=1#s106212739445566
In 2009, Max was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent whatever horrors a child has to go through to get rid of the brain tumor, and it was gone for a couple of months.
Just when life began to return to normal at his house, it struck again. This time, with a vengeance. The doctors told his parents there was basically nothing they could do. His parents went looking for more.
There were a few different trials going on with an experimental medicine that his doctors, as well as many other reputable doctors in the childhood cancer field felt would be his best hope for a cure. He did not qualify for the trials on what was basically a technicality. The drug company, Genentech, also refused to give him the medicine on a compassionate use case because he didn't qualify.
Well, his parents persisted, as most would, got the word out, used the power of social media to their advantage, and had everyone on the planet calling and rallying for this little boy. We've called news organizations, magazines, Oprah, Ellen, and everywhere else we could think of.
On Friday, they got the call that Genentech had changed their mind and would give him the drug on an experimental/compassionate use case, pending approval from the FDA.
On Saturday, Max's symptoms worsened. He can no longer speak, is basically paralyzed on his right side, and hospice has been brought in for pain management.
Today, his doctor talked to the FDA, and Max will begin receiving the drug on Tuesday.
Through it all, his parents have been very forthcoming about raising awareness of childhood cancer, and the toll it takes on all children with cancer, not just their own. They have been extremely unselfish, caring, and cognizant of the fact that their child is just one of many.
I'll post links at the bottom to various things that tell Max's story, but his story is just part of the greater story - of kids who are dying of cancer every day in this country, of drugs that are just out of reach, and of families being forever changed.
Please pray that Max can hold on until Tuesday, that the drugs work, and that all children with cancer have an opportunity for a better life and sick-free future.
Jean
Facebook Pages: MaxNunn, TeamMax, Give Max Hope
YouTube - GIVE MAX HOPE: the story of 7yr old Max Nunn
YouTube - New cancer drug gives family hope
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/posted.php?id=111279275601288&share_id=106212739445566&comments=1#s106212739445566
