At eight months, Ty loved to dance and listen to music. He was fascinated by wheels; he would stare down at the wheels on his stroller instead of enjoying the scenery during walks. Ty gave the BEST hugs. He also had a large tumor growing on his lung. The mass grew to be so big that he couldn’t breathe on his own and it blocked a major artery.

For a month we lived at the hospital while doctors tried to diagnose him. Ty went through multiple surgeries and procedures, including a blood transfusion, heart surgery, chest surgery, and biopsies of his bone marrow, spine, and the mass. We were told after the mass biopsy that the tissue looked like juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG), but that JXG only appears on the skin, not on internal organs, so they didn't know what he had. For two weeks Ty needed to be kept sedated and on a breathing machine. Imagine not being able to hold your baby for two weeks.

On November 29, 2013, the day after Ty's first Thanksgiving, the doctors told us that they had waited as long as they possibly could and they had to treat him with something even though they risked making him worse. Later that day, Ty was diagnosed with mediastinal JXG. Yes, the same thing they originally said didn't grow on internal organs. Ty began chemotherapy. After 12 weeks of weekly chemotherapy and steroids, the mass shrank to almost nothing. He continued chemo for a year. So far, the JXG remains stable.

Now, Ty is 13 years old and like other kids, he loves video games, rock climbing, archery, and creating Roblox games. But unlike other kids, Ty also celebrates milestones like being chemo-free for 11 years.

We were lucky, so every year, we participate in the Histio Hike to fundraise and spread awareness. Please consider making a donation, so that one day, no Histio family will have to rely on luck.

I’m thrilled to be participating in Histio Hike Shenandoah 2026, a fundraiser supporting Histiocytosis Association! I’m passionate about this cause and need your help! Every donation—big or small—helps me reach my fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause.

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
• Spread the Word: Share my fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!

Thank you for standing by me in this effort. Your support means the world to me!