Maddison Mertz was a vibrant seven-year old girl who loved gymnastics, swimming, dancing and hanging out with her friends. However, in October 2016, Maddison complained of a stiff neck, experienced bouts of nausea and tingling in her right arm. These symptoms prompted an MRI at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.  Our lives were instantly turned upside down when the MRI revealed a spinal cord tumor. Maddison endured a six-hour surgery in November 2016 to remove the tumor. The biopsy report came back and Maddison was diagnosed with stage IV Glioblastoma. She immediately underwent six weeks of radiation therapy. Her first MRI after completing radiation revealed the cancer had spread to six spots in her brain. She began numerous rounds of oral and intravenous chemotherapy treatments. Maddison’s family explored every treatment option available in the world and in March of 2017 they took her to Vancouver, Canada for treatment unavailable in the US. After six weeks of treatment, the family returned home. Her condition rapidly declined.  Nothing could stop this horrific disease, and on May 29, 2017, three days following Maddison’s 8th birthday, she passed away at home in the arms of her parents and surrounded by her family and friends. In Maddison’s brief, yet courageous, seven-month battle with this monster, she demonstrated the strength of a superhero. As she lost her physical independence, her strength and courage never faltered. She was a constant shining star that touched the lives around her in an immeasurable way.  

In May, 2017, after several months of strange symptoms, Leah had an MRI that revealed an abnormality on her pituitary gland. Following numerous tests and a transphenoidal biopsy she was misdiagnosed with lymphocytic hypophysitis ~ a rare inflammatory disease. After four months of high steroid infusions, with minimal improvement, Leah had a 2nd cranial biopsy in September, which confirmed a metastic germinoma brain tumor on her pituitary gland with spread to the optic chiasm area.  On October 2, Leah began twelve rounds of chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital followed by four weeks of proton radiation at Mayo Clinic. Through all of the treatments and setbacks Leah remained positive, courageous and determined to get back to the life of a “normal” teenager. With the constant support from her church, family, friends, and dance community, Leah heard the words “in remission” on April 2, 2017.   Leah is a senior at Chanhassen High School and is very busy with ballet, pointe, jazz, and lyrical at her dance studio in Chaska. She is also applying to colleges with plans to pursue a nursing or teaching degree. She hopes to one day work with pediatric oncology patients and pay forward the hope, inspiration and love she received from her amazing care team!

I was diagnosed with Grade lV Glioblastoma on Monday, February 6, 2017, and underwent surgery on my 53rd birthday, February 10th. My tumor was located in my right parietal lobe, and my surgeon, Dr. Mariam Kim, was able to successfully remove the entire tumor. After visiting oncology teams at Mayo Clinic, and MD Anderson in Houston, my wife and I decided to enroll me in a radiation oncology/nuclear medicine clinical trial collaboration at Mayo Clinic.  After a full summer of competitive waterskiing and working 80%, the tumor site scan changes in November indicated that a second craniotomy was in order. That surgery revealed no new tumor but rather tumor radiation necrosis injury. My wife likes to say, “Best shitty news ever!” Since then, my journey has had some downs: a left peripheral vision cut, a seizure, and Avastin infusions. But I’m ready to fight, and if hard work and determination can affect outcomes, we’re in. My wife and I have dived into the Keto diet to do our best to starve brain cancer of the glucose it craves!  We have three grown children and the solidarity that my wonderful family has embraced for me is a blessing. In addition the strength of our family, and even more especially the love from our friends and neighbors, has been unbelievably powerful! We still have a lot of options, and I’m happy to keep trying to stay on this side of the dirt! 

Kathy was an RN and nurse manager in the Allina Health system for 32 years. She was effortlessly bright and ambitious; her love and passion for helping others was evident each day. In September, 2014, an MRI revealed Kathy had a Glioblastoma grade IV tumor the size of a clementine orange located on the right parietal lobe of her brain. Within 48 hours she underwent a successful resection surgery to remove the tumor. She then began 30 days of radiation, followed by chemotherapy. For almost 2 years the treatments kept her scans clear. In June of 2016 her routine scan revealed a reoccurrence of the tumor. Kathy elected for another craniotomy procedure to remove the majority of the tumor. A post op stroke added another challenge of motor deficit on her left side. Yet, despite the difficulties, Kathy continued to enjoy each day. Kathy was amazingly positive even though she knew statistically what was likely to come. She made sure to openly discuss with her family the next steps to expect, and better prepare them throughout the journey. Kathy always enjoyed helping to educate people in difficult times until the moment she passed on February 8, 2017. She left a legacy of love and hope for everyone who knew her. Kathy was always there to help support, coach, teach, and care for those around her. She lived with humor and grace and her faith in God was evident.