William

Story

William, 5-year-old – Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health

William was first diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumor (kidney cancer) June 2024 and completed treatment December of that same year. January of 2025, the cancer metastasized to his liver, spleen and diaphragm. Since then, William has been on an aggressive chemotherapy regimen consisting of 10 cycles which are expected to end August of this year.

Needs

William, his 7 y/o sister, mother and father need assistance with utility bills and gas for transportation to get William to his inpatient infusions. Father lost his business, so the family had to move from Broward to Okeechobee County, two hours away from the hospital, for more affordable housing. Father is now working unsteady construction side jobs.

Letter from Hospital Social Worker:

Dear Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation:

This letter is on behalf of William. William is a five-year-old Pediatric Oncology patient at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. William was first admitted to the hospital in June 2024 due to upset stomach and was found with an abdominal mass. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor. William was treated with chemotherapy and radiation throughout 2024. He completed treatment in December 2024.He soon after began having similar symptoms again. In January 2025 he relapsed in his Wilm’s Tumor and has now begun a new, more intensive treatment plan.
William’s family resided in Ft. Lauderdale when initially diagnosed. Unfortunately, his father lost his business, and the family had to move to Okeechobee, FL. They have continued to travel nearly two hours for treatment at Broward Health, with the physicians who initially diagnosed and have treated him. His parents are working as much as they are able to, but it is difficult with the strenuous treatment schedule. William’s family would greatly benefit from any assistance possible during this time of need. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Melissa Stachowiak, LCSW
Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health

View Original letter

Plea from Mother:

Last year in June, my son had fevers over a week that would not stay down with medicine. He was constipated so he was lying next to me sleeping (whenever my kids are sick, they always sleep with me). My husband was away on business, not local. My son started to shake so I woke up and snapped him out of it. The next night, he did it again, but this time I called 911. My son went into the ambulance to Coral Springs, and I was driving behind him with my daughter.

That day, June 6, 2024 (I will never forget the date), they did an ultrasound and CT scan and discovered he had a 14 cm tumor covering his right kidney and protruding his stomach (it literally felt like a nightmare). In the hospital, his blood glucose level was very low. Shortly after we found out about the tumor. Three hours later he had surgery to remove his right kidney. He completed chemo treatments and radiation. His last treatment was on December 26, 2024.

Three weeks ago, he complained of stomach pains, I took him to the hospital near me and they did scans and saw 3 new tumors were found on the other side of his body. He has started the ICE treatment. I had to stop working to take him back-and-forth to treatment and to take care of him at home. My husband works only a couple of days a week. We’re trying to take care of the bills, and now we need to pay to get someone to take care of our daughter every time my son goes in for treatments at the hospital because he will be admitted for 3 to 5 days each time. This was a surprise so obviously we can’t prepare for something like this, not that I wanted to, but we are definitely doing our best. Jen

Help a Child Fight Cancer Today

Help a Child Fight Cancer Today

Help a Child Fight Cancer Today

Help a Child Fight Cancer Today

Help a Child Fight Cancer Today

Advocacy Program: Children Urgent Needs

Parents Plea for Child Battling Metastatic Kidney Cancer

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