June 3, 2011 – December 2, 2017
Diagnosed: November 1, 2016
Written by Riley’s uncle
Riley was a beam of sunshine in every life that he stepped into – and now we’re trying to brighten his family’s life in their greatest time of need.
A couple of weeks ago, in October, Riley’s parents noticed his eyes were crossing. On November 1st, 2016, Riley was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive, rare form of pediatric brain cancer known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), which typically affects children between the ages of 5 and 9, and has an extremely low survival rate. Riley turned 5 years old in June.
Riley’s dad serves with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and he is an Afghan war veteran. His mother works for NC Community College, but has been there for less than a year and does not yet qualify for family leave.
This soon after a diagnosis, many factors were still up in the air, but one constant is that medical care, transportation, and extended job leave are all extremely costly. It is our goal through our crowdfunding campaign to raise as much money as possible in order to support the Voss family in this heartbreaking time of need.
Riley was being treated at Duke Children’s Hospital, and his family was hopeful to get him into a trial Immunotherapy program at Heidelberg University Hospital which seemed to be the most promising course of action for Riley. The full treatment cost was required up front before Riley could begin receiving treatment. This was a very large goal, and one that would require every donation possible to achieve. This process uses proton and carbon ion radiotherapy, and is one of the most successful DIPG treatment programs to date.
No words can describe the devastation this diagnosis has left with Riley’s Mother, Father, Sister, and our family as a whole.
Please keep our family in your thoughts.
