Honoring Christian's Fight

Shortly after his third birthday, Christian was diagnosed with Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB), an extremely rare childhood cancer that develops in the lungs and chest lining. He courageously battled the disease for nearly six years.

Christian was an amazing, smart, funny, and loving young boy with a beautiful spirit that inspired everyone around him. Through surgeries, treatments, and countless hospital visits, he never lost his smile or his hope of getting better.

Christian loved making people laugh, often playing shy and hiding from his doctors and nurses under his blue blanket. He also enjoyed playing Roblox on his iPad, racing his Hot Wheels cars, watching SpongeBob, and collecting Pokémon cards.

His buddy Rubble, an English Bulldog Christian received through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, was with him through it all. Whether he was playing in his bounce house, having water balloon fights in the summer, or sharing funny videos, Christian brought joy wherever he went.

Now, we honor Christian by continuing a promise we made to him: to help find a cure for the rare cancer he fought so bravely.

Raising Awareness and Advancing Research

Raising awareness for PPB is critical because it is so rare. Each year, only an estimated 25 to 50 children in the United States are diagnosed with PPB, with fewer than 100 cases diagnosed worldwide. Because traditional funding streams for rare childhood cancers are increasingly limited, research often relies on the generosity of private donors and community fundraising efforts like ours to advance discoveries, improve treatments, and ultimately find cures. Researchers like Dr. Kenneth Chen and his team are dedicated to understanding this disease and improving outcomes for children and families facing the same diagnosis.

That's why we’re raising awareness and funds in Christian's honor and memory. Gifts made here support the research being conducted in Dr. Chen's laboratory, helping advance discoveries that bring hope to children diagnosed with PPB and other rare childhood cancers.

Christian's bravery and our promise to him are in our hearts and minds every day. By supporting this effort, you are helping to honor Christian’s memory, increase awareness of rare childhood cancers, and move us one step closer to the cures families desperately need.

Learn More About Christian's Journey

Read about the fight against rare childhood cancer at ChristianCancerJourney.com.