JOIN US AS WE RAISE AWARENESS, FUNDING, AND FIND A CURE FOR CHILDREN WITH BRAIN TUMORS.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! As most of you know after a long 4 years we have a diagnosis.  Joshua has been diagnosed with a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma or JPA.  Thank you to Childrens Hospital Boston and the outstanding medical team there.

It is a slow growing brain tumor and accounts for 2% of all brain tumors. Because it is a benign slow growing tumor there has not been much research. The Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston is working on a new research program for low grade astrocytomas. The PLGA foundation lacks funding and the money raised will help find a cure and better treatment options for kids like Josh.

Joshua had his first surgery (partial resection) in 2005 and the pathology was not diagnostic. For a long time we were not sure what type of tumor josh had. After his first surgery he suffered from multiple medical conditions that over time resolved. As soon as Josh recovered we found out at a routine MRI that the remainig tumor had doubled in size and that he needed a second surgery. The goal was to get a diagnosis and to take out as much tumor as possible.

More than 8 hours later we were told only 1/2 of the tumor was removed. The other half is inoperable and in a dangerous location- the brainstem. Growth in the brainstem can cause breathing, heart rate, and swallowing problems. I created this fundraising page because I want Josh to continue to be a survivor. Any contribution you can make will provide the foundation money for research. If Joshua's tumor continues to grow his only treatment options are the same toxic chemotherapy that has been used on JPA's for the last 20+ years, radiation, and surgery. Please do what you can to help find a cure for Joshua.

In July 2010 we were given more devastating news. Josh's tumor has grown again and the surgeon is not comfortable doing another surgery.  He started  chemotherapy in August to try to stop the tumor from growing.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

********WHEN DONATING  if it gives you an option to select a Team- SELECT TEAM JOSHUA SO FUNDS ARE TRACED BACK TO HIM*****************

Feel free to get updated on Josh at http://Caringbridge.org/visit/joshuayorgey   

                                                                http://fightplga.org  Team Josh  http://www.fightplga.org/research   Funds are going to current research!

 ***************      CHEER FOR  A CURE      ***************************

                                    Sat. March 6, 2010

CHEER FOR A CURE was a great success

T-Shirt Fundraiser  3/16/10 Thank you team Josh!