Mass. Community Rallies Around 8-Year-Old with Inoperable Brain Tumor: 'Truly Appreciative,' Mom Says
AJ Congdon was diagnosed with with an aggressive form of childhood cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) late last month
Go Fund Me
AJ Congdon photographed playing footballA Massachusetts community is rallying around an 8-year-old boy who has an inoperable brain tumor.
AJ Congdon, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of childhood cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) late last month, is undergoing daily radiation treatments at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, family friends said in a GoFundMe for the boy.
Congdon was rushed to the emergency room on Sept. 28 after his family noticed a decline in his coordination, according to Fox affiliate WFXT-TV.
According to the station, the tumor is on his brain stem and affects Congdon’s ability to speak and walk.
Despite his diagnosis, the youngster has not missed any opportunities to watch his football team, the Charlton Dudley Rams, practice and play, per WFXT-TV and WHDH-TV.
At a game on Sunday, Congdon hardly watched from the sidelines.
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In a sweet show of sportsmanship, his teammates and the opposing team ran a play for him in which he scored — and they even pushed his wheelchair to the end zone to the applause and high-fives of nearly everyone on the field.
“It was very uplifting,” AJ’s mom, Jamie Congdon, told WHDH-TV. “It was something we all needed, he needed.”
She added, “We’ve always known and loved this community so much but. to have them have that outpouring of support for our kids and us is definitely overwhelming. We are just truly appreciative over everything.”
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On AJ’s GoFundMe, which has nearly reached $40,000 as of Thursday afternoon, his friends and family underscored their appreciation for the support.
“They are beyond grateful for and humbled by the immeasurable outpouring of love, support and concern from family, friends and community during this challenging time,” campaign organizers Lisa Incutto and Amanda Holton wrote about the Congdon family.
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