Merrit is strong, resilient, and brave! Merrit was diagnosed with Ependymoma, a cancerous tumor in his spinal cord, in December of 2025 at the age of 16.  He underwent a 9 hour surgery, 2 weeks at Children’s Hospital over Christmas, 9 days at Madonna over New Years, 6 weeks of outpatient physical therapy, and 28 radiation treatments.  Through it all, Merrit stayed positive and optimistic, overcoming any obstacle he faced.  He’s now 17, preparing for his senior year of high school, and back on the court playing basketball.  Regular scans will be part of his foreseeable future, but it hasn’t stopped him from getting back to being a normal teenager.

When Merrit was diagnosed with cancer, our lives came to a halt, but our bills did not.  Angels Among Us stepped in to provide financial and emotional stability when we needed it most.  They alleviated the burden of paying essential household bills, helping us focus solely on Merrit’s recovery.  Beyond financial relief, their emotional support programming has given our family a lifeline of comfort and community.  With the help of Angels Among Us, we have been able to navigate this challenging medical journey knowing we are not alone.