September 4, 2007 – May 17, 2016
Diagnosed: April, 2015
Written by Connor’s family
Our son Connor was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in April 2015 at the age of 7. There is no cure for DIPG and only 200-300 kids are diagnosed with it yearly. Most do not survive and are given 6 months to a year to live. Connor had 6 weeks of radiation which did shrink the tumor but unfortunately without being able to remove the tumor it grew back. He also had a brain tumor biopsy to determine what might be the best drugs to attack it. But because most drugs do not go through or cross the brain blood barrier the medications didn’t work and the tumor grew. He then had a second round of radiation and again shrunk the tumor for a couple of months. Connor’s balance was very bad; he could hardly walk; it also affected his speech and he slobbered. He was such an active boy before this monster struck him. He played baseball, basketball, soccer and loved to swim. He was also a straight A student in school and had a very witty sense of humor.
Connor, 8, did exceed the odds and surpassed the one year landmark of surviving DIPG for a year on April 23, 2016. Our family was hopeful that Connor could survive another year. Sadly, on May 17, 2016, Connor lost his earthly battle with DIPG. Our family is hopeful that there will be a cure soon for all these children.
Moon Township, PA (Pittsburgh)
