Joshua’s Story
In 2015, while our family was stationed in Okinawa, our son Joshua—just 2 years old at the time—developed a massive tumor that was crushing his trachea. After a week in a Japanese ICU, he was medically evacuated to Hawaii for further treatment at Tripler Army Medical Center as we awaited new military orders.
In January 2016, we relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where Dad began his new assignment at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Joshua completed treatment in 2018, with his port removed that January. But just a few months later, in May, our daughter Katy was diagnosed with the exact same tumor in the same location.
Both Joshua and Katy were born with Ataxia-Telangiectasia, a rare neurogenetic disorder that makes them highly prone to developing tumors, sensitive to radiation, and immunocompromised.
Katy began her own fight with pediatric T-cell lymphoma in May 2018. She completed treatment and had her port removed in 2021.
While the kids have been continuing ongoing care, in May 2024, Joshua was diagnosed with another tumor in his chest—bringing us into our third battle with this relentless disease.
We continue to fight, together.
Joshua’s Gallery
