A year of courage, against every odd.
The diagnosis
While on a family trip to Los Angeles, Savannah suddenly became seriously ill. Doctors discovered a large tumor deep within her brain. We received the diagnosis no parent ever wants to hear: Diffuse Midline Glioma.
Radiation at St. Jude
Within days, Savannah began radiation at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. She remained strong and courageous through a brutal summer of treatment, completing radiation in August 2025.
Sixth grade
She proudly returned to Ensworth and started sixth grade — the kind of ordinary milestone that meant everything.
Experimental CAR-T immunotherapy
Savannah began an aggressive clinical trial, enduring five difficult infusions over several months. Eventually, the inflammation from treatment became too dangerous, and the trial had to end.
Devastating news
An MRI showed tumor progression and severe swelling. Doctors told us Savannah likely had only weeks to live. We were heartbroken — but we refused to stop fighting.
ONC201 — a weekly pill
She began ONC201, taken as a simple once-weekly pill. At first things continued to worsen — she lost the ability to walk, the use of her arms, and most of her speech. Then, slowly, she started coming back.
The tumor shrank
A new MRI shocked everyone. Instead of growth, Savannah's tumor had actually shrunk. It was the exact opposite of what we expected.
The surgery that changed everything
Dr. Anthony Wang at UCLA performed a remarkable surgery and removed approximately 90% of the tumor mass. Pathology later revealed most of the removed tissue was already dead — evidence that her treatments had been working. The surgery gave her something priceless: time.
