On Father’s Day of 2021, the McDonnell family’s life changed forever. They got the news nobody ever hopes they ever have to hear - that their happy, healthy 4-year-old son Cameron had brain cancer.  After multiple surgeries including a major tumor resection, 6 rounds of chemotherapy, 30 days of radiation, and months of continued therapies, we are pleased to report that Cam is officially in remission! He continues to work hard every day and make amazing strides with walking, talking and other activities. Cam is now 7 years old, still crushing his goals, and is looking forward to 2nd grade! He continues to makes progress every single day and still faces many challenges along the way. With the help of their amazing family, friends, and communities they continue to have the strength and resources to power through. 

 

 

APRIL 2025 UPDATE 

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                   In Jessy's words after tests due to Cam's complaints of leg pain and his inability to bear weight:

 

"I don’t have the words, but I’m going to try my best. It’s a long one!

The results of the biopsy were not what we hoped for. Cam was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, which is an aggressive bone cancer. They do not think it has anything to do with his previous brain cancer diagnosis.

He was in the ER over the weekend due to a fever and worry that the incision site was infected. After a reallly LONG day (in hindsight we’ve had much longer harder days though) he ended up having Covid and was put on antibiotics.

Now that the waiting game is over it’s time to hit the ground running. He had scans yesterday and I’m happy to share that they do believe that it is localized to his right tibia and has not metastasized. Thank God! We have appointments on Thursday and will meet his new team. Port and treatment were to begin on Friday, however the Covid is delaying it to early next week. Silver lining….we get to spend Easter together as a family

Treatment as I understand it is a complicated schedule including chemo and surgery. Lots of hospital stays and in and out of Boston. Cam has been and continues to be so incredibly brave through all of this. He’s sad and scared as are we. He was so brave to tell his classmates. He’s literally our hero, our sweet, kind boy who didn’t deserve this the first time and definitely doesn’t deserve it this time.

We have all the feels, but we will do whatever it takes. We know how to fight hard (even though he thinks he doesn’t know how to “fight” ) and we know we have an incredible army of support behind us. We just wish we didn’t need it so much"

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