Brooklyn G.
In life, you get hit with obstacles that are beyond explanation, on November 30th my wife Cybill and I received the most devastating news we could have ever imagined. We were informed that our 3-year-old daughter Brooklyn was diagnosed with Cancer in her liver, Hepatoblastoma is the medical term. An extremely rare form of cancer that only affects 1 in 1 million children ages 2-5 in the United States yearly.
6 rounds of Chemo were scheduled. Over the last 4 months not only has Brooklyn gone through 4 of the 6 rounds already, but the tumor which was originally the size of a softball, shrunk to about the size of a golf ball, small enough for the incredible medical staff to remove the tumor in February. Although the Chemo has taken some things from Brooklyn, it has not taken her strength, smile, perseverance, or her devotion to simply be a 3 year old kid!
Weekly we take the 2 hour drive for treatments and blood work to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando. Just as she has done with friends, family, and the community, Brooklyn has built a bond with the amazing doctors, nurses, and staff at Nemours. With 2 rounds of chemo left, Brooklyn has not missed a beat and continues to be that same little girl pre-diagnosis. She coined a phrase before her first round, and it continues to stay with her daily…..”I got this, I get better” This has been the toughest battle our family has faced, but we know this will be the most COURAGEOUS victory Brooklyn will accomplish. She has the heart of a champion and continues to show that no matter the obstacle, she will continue to overcome the odds!!
#BrooklynStrong
Update August, 2024
Brooklyn rang the Bell on August 30th.
Brooklyn G. – An Update
Some victories take time to fully appreciate. Today, we’re proud to share that Brooklyn is now 5 years old and has been cancer-free and in remission for nearly two years.
After facing an unimaginable diagnosis of Hepatoblastoma at just 3 years old, enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, countless hospital visits, and long drives to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn continues to prove what true strength looks like.
Today, she is thriving. Brooklyn is in Kindergarten, where her bright spirit shines every day. She loves singing, playing dress-up, spending time with our family, laughing and learning with her friends from school, and being the best big sister to her younger sister, Jordyn. She’s also excited to start T-ball in the coming weeks, another milestone we once only dreamed of.
Cancer took nothing from her heart, courage, or determination. The words she spoke before her very first treatment still define her journey today: “I got this. I get better.”
Brooklyn’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community. We are forever grateful to the doctors, nurses, staff at Nemours, our family, friends, and organizations like Chasin A Dream Foundation for standing with us through the hardest season of our lives.
This chapter is no longer about survival—it’s about living, growing, and dreaming big.
Brooklyn is, and always will be, #BrooklynStrong