Karters Cancer Crusade

Karters Cancer Crusade it is important to me that the battles fought by brave kids fighting DIPG/Childhood are acknowledged Welcome to Karter's Cancer Crusade. He is our hero! Why not?

We would like to introduce the world to our kind, loving, happy, sassy 5 year old only child, Karter. He is braver and stronger than most adults. Unfortunately he is also fighting for his life. On July 26/22 he was diagnosed with a terminal DIPG tumor. This is the day that our world was turned upside down and absolutely destroyed. DIPG is an inoperable and untreatable tumor on the PONS in the BRAI

NSTEM. We were not even aware that there was such a thing prior to diagnosis and have since been forced to realize that most have not heard of this terrible, destructive, fast moving, aggressive and deadly cancer. We want to change this. We want to change the stigma and taboo associated with discussing these very difficult subjects. We have discovered that DIPG and other childhood cancers receive single digits of all funding compared to adult cancers and DIPG receives even less. We understand how difficult, uncomfortable and disheartening talking about DIPG and Childhood Cancers can be. We understand how sad, heartbreaking and incomprehensible this subject can be however we need to change this. Hundreds of thousands of children and their families, and more, face DIPG annually and more cases are being diagnosed every day. Even more face other Childhood Cancers every year. We do not hear about DIPG or Childhood Cancers in the media, on social media and often not even in medical journals. We do not see a sea of Gold and Grey in every store, office, corporation, bank, government establishment or on every billboard, not even in September which is designated as Childhood Cancer month or on May 17, DIPG day. What can be more important than saving our children? Childhood cancer is a very sad and difficult topic to discuss. It is uncomfortable and incomprehensible because of the circumstances and reality involved. We really do get it! However we also understand that we must change the stigma and taboo surrounding this topic. We need to create the conversation. We need to change the conversation. We need to do better for the children facing this monster. We need to find treatments and cures! We are usually private people however we have been forced to re-evaluate and adjust our lives in ways we never thought we would. It is dumbfounding that in 2022 we are unable to talk about childhood cancers and even more mindboggling to learn that funding for childhood cancers and advancements have pretty much stagnated for decades. We want to make the public aware that Childhood Cancer and DIPG are very real and grossly underfunded and underrecognized. We want to change the conversation and promote funding and advancements in DIPG and all other Childhood Cancers. We invite you to join us on this life changing journey.

02/02/2025
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02/01/2025

Thumbs up after a successful surgery, and his first little sugar free pudding snack all over his face 😂

He did really well this morning and we are here at Hopkins for the night to be monitored. His doctor advised his team to leave him off of his bipap for the night since he’s hooked to the monitors, and while I’m wildly excited that we may be ditching his bipap, I feel like I’m going to sleep next to him in this luxury fold out hospital chair bed with 1 eye open all night 😬 He hasn’t been able to nap for more than 20 min without having a seizure in years…so this is a HUGE step!!

Thank you for all of the prayers, messages and well wishes for Darren-today went really well! If we have a restful night, the word is that they’ll let us go bright and early 🎉 This momma needs some real sleep…I’m running on 3hrs 😬 Darren says THANK YOU ALL!! ❤️

02/01/2025

Carter has been in the hospital since Monday, receiving another round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He’s expected to go home on Sunday.

This round has been the hardest since his diagnosis. Please pray for Carter as he continues this tough treatment plan. Despite the challenges, he’s staying strong.

https://gofund.me/cca7a41b

💙

02/01/2025

Get ready for an exciting month with The Cure Starts Now! From in-person to virtual, our national and chapter events are bringing communities together for families battling brain cancer. Whether you're running, fundraising, or simply showing your support, there's something for everyone!

Join us in making a difference and honoring our warriors. Find an event near you and be part of the mission to fund groundbreaking research for childhood brain cancer. 🔗 Learn more: https://thecurestartsnow.org/how-to-help/events/

01/31/2025

Bradley. Ewing Sarcoma at age 6. 12 years in remission. Renal Cell Carcinoma at age 18. Warrior in remission.

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Edmonton, AB

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karter 8th birthday
karter 8th birthday

This little boy was so much more than DIPG. He was greater than any cancer. He was so smart. He was lovable and loving. He was pure joy and excitement. He was so smart and caught on quicker than most. He was fun and mischievous. He was empathetic and sympathetic. He loved life and lived it to the fullest every day of his short life. He loved school and swimming. His mom and dad were his absolute favorite people and he did not like to be separated from them at all. They took him almost every where they went and savored every second with him and hated to be separated from him just as much as he did. They were always in a rush to get home to him. He fought like hell to stay with them and they fought along his side throughout his short life. It was a love story like no other. These videos give just a small glimpse into what our baby was before DIPG and the fight for his life. He was always smiling and loving on the people he loved. He had the gentlest touches I have ever felt and gave the best bear hugs. Life before cancer was so happy and busy. Karter and his parents were always busy and always together (with very few exceptions). He was up for trying almost anything and loved adventures with the people he loved. Today he would have been 8 YEARS OLD. He missed his 7th birthday by 65 days. His little body just could not take anymore. He was still fighting but his little body could not keep up to the strength and resolve that his mind and spirit had. Life has changed so much for all of us but everyone is coping and adjusting in their own way. It is really hard to see the world go on withouth him and they have no idea what they are missing. I wanted to show our sweet little boy before the day that changed all of our lives so that the world could see what they are missing. I know what I am missing...this little man. The strongest and bravest little person I have ever known. The light in my life. Happy Birthday My Sweet Silly Little Buddy. Gramma misses you so much. I love

This was at the start of our journey. He was not feeling well and could hardly walk but he was his funny loving self. He laughed and laughed playing this game. Oh how this gramma misses that laugh. I.would give anything to have it back...anything. unfortunately DIPG does not care what i would give to have this baby back. This is the reality of DIPG.

The staff and facilities for children with dipg are so amazing and empathetic. This was our babys last adventure. He was very very sick at this point but he always tried to remain strong and happy even when the tumor had control of his body. He was unable to control any part of his body at this point. He had a seizure shortly after arriving and was never able to wake up after this but we were able to get him to his favorite place...home. Karter passed on july 23 2023. This is what DIPG does. It is cruel and unforgiving.

7 months today my love. Gramma misses you more than i ever thought possible. Life forces us to go on without you but the hole you left is vast and black. I love you and cant wait to hold you and hear you laughter again my love (at least im hoping how it works). One more day my baby...one more day closer.

If love could have saved you you would be here with us now. Our love for you is endless and everlasting. Its hard to imagine a new year without you my boy. Forever loved and missed my little love. One day closer to you my noy...one day closer my little hero. I do not own the rights to the music in this reel.

Karter grew so much in the last 9 months of his life. Since he was too sick to walk or stand i dont think he realized tall he was. Had he realized how much he would have been so proud of himself and it would have been a big part of his conversation. He is the youngest in both families and was the baby.. so smaller than all of his cousins. He wanted to be a big boy like his cousins. The last year of his life im pretty sure he would have been so close to achieving this wish..goal. you can be so proud my boy...you can be so proud for so many reasons. You achieved all of your goals in your too short life baby. Gramma could not be prouder. You were the best of everything in my life and i miss this so much. Love to infinity and beyond my baby. One day closer...one day closer.

Life at our house and.when karter was here he would sleep right in the middle.

He was so sick at this point. Breaks my gramma heart to hear him cry even before he got so sick. His hair was falling out in huge clumps in a matter of day and his head was so itchy and bothering him that we knew it was time to shave his head. He did not want to do it so we had a head shaving party to show our support for thim. His mom, gg, dad and several friends came over to shave their head with him. He still did not want to do it but he sure felt our love. This is about the time that his anger frustration and realization of just how sick he really was. Depression and frustration about all of the abilities that he was losing set in. He did partially rally back but his.eyes.were so sad. This is the reality of DIPG. it is what almost every child wuth childhood cancer faces at some point. Even though we remained positive and happy around him this was a very sad time. He declined quickly after this. He seemed to lose one more of his abilities every second of every day. Its confusing and very very sad. This lil man was THE strongest people i know. He was pure joy! #karterscancercrusade #childhoodcancerawareness #DIPG #dipgawareness #braincancerawareness #braincancer #childhoodcancer #braintumor

It has been 4 months without your laughter smiles hugs kisses and joy. Words can not express how much this gramma misses you. It seems like you have been gone for far longer than 4 months. The emptiness is immense without you my baby. What i wouldn't give for just one more hug or kiss. I would sell my soul for 1 more day. I hope that i will see you again with everything in me. Love you to infinitey and back and miss you even more my little hero. One day closer baby...one day closer.

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