Inspiring Pediatric Brain Tumor Patient Stories

Patient of the Month: Carmella

February 28, 2025 – After Carmella developed bruising and red blood dots on her skin, she was rushed to the emergency room at her local hospital in Palm Beach. Initial tests showed a low platelet count, prompting further testing. At Nicklaus Children’s Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, Carmella was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia (AA) and required a bone marrow transplant – her little brother Angelo was a perfect match and became her donor.

Santiago's Medulloblastoma Journey

July 17, 2023 – Santiago was only in kindergarten when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous tumor of the brain. His mother, Mehble, says their life was turned upside down when he suddenly came down with strong flu-like symptoms, high fevers, vomiting and nausea that would not go away. After 24 hours of hospitalization, they learned it was a brain tumor and needed emergency surgery to remove the mass in his brain.

Patient of the Month: Nicole

May 31, 2023 – When Nicole complained of head pain her parents, Roberto and Tamara, took her to an urgent care. After the medicine provided didn't ease her pain she was brought to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Thankfully, a multidisciplinary team of specialists quickly understood what was at stake, Nicole was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and immediately began treatment to remove the mass.

Sebastian Beats Brain Cancer

May 23, 2022 – Sebastian's mother became concerned when he began experiencing a dull headache that would not go away. After several days of the continued headaches, Sebastian's pediatrician recommended that the family take him to the emergency room for further testing. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor and with a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. His doctors immediately jumped into action to create a plan for his treatment.

Baby Girl Thriving Thanks to Investigational Treatment for Brain Tumors

June 09, 2021 – Bruna was diagnosed with a rapidly growing brain tumor, called a ganglioglioma, when she was only three months old. Her parents worked tirelessly to find the care she needed in Bolivia where they live. Despite many obstacles, they were connected to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where a clinical trial for ganglioglioma is underway.

Almudena's Success Story

January 19, 2021 – Almudena was only two years old when she was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Her mother Claudia first noticed there was something wrong when Almudena was experiencing excessive thirst, was having difficulty seeing, and was losing weight. She was referred to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where she underwent chemotherapy for three months but the tumor was still growing and it needed to be removed.

Patient of the Month: Gabriel

December 03, 2020 – Gabriel struggled with head pain, loss of balance, and more when his parents rushed to Nicklaus Children’s. He was diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid tumor, and immediately underwent treatment. Now, he’s back on the field in more ways than one.

Brianna's Story

September 18, 2020 – Brianna “Brie" Mestrovich was only 9 years old when she was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. The West Palm Beach native was referred to the Nicklaus Children's Palm Beach Gardens Outpatient center for an MRI because she was experiencing recurrent headaches that did not go away after several months.

Sebastian's Fight

September 14, 2020 – Sebastian was only 11 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, hydrocephalus and a teratoma. His mother Martha says she was shocked to learn her otherwise healthy son began experiencing headaches.

Patient of the Month: Helia

March 29, 2019 – When Helia was 12 years old, her mother began to notice she was always very thirsty and drinking more water than usual. It got to the point that Helia was losing sleep due to all the weight she gained, so her mother decided to consult with a specialist.

Daniella Celebrates her Ninth Birthday by Advocating for Children’s Health

June 26, 2018 – On this very same day nine years ago, Daniella Alvarez was diagnosed Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a rare and aggressive type of brain cancer. The news came on June 26, 2009, her second birthday. Daniella endured years of brain surgeries, aggressive chemotherapies, radiation, imaging scans, multiple visits to intensive care at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. She is now cancer free thanks to a pediatric clinical trial made possible through research funding.

Patient of the Month: Lacy

July 10, 2017 – Meet our July Patient of the Month, Lacy. Lacy was only 2 years old when her parents noticed that something was wrong. They took her to various doctors to try to find what could be the cause, Lacy had an 8 cm. tumor in her brain, occupying most of the lower part of her head.

Jessica's Success Story

January 24, 2012 – Jessica was a patient five years ago. She moved to Nicklaus Children's Hospital from Palms West in West Palm Beach because she had a large brain tumor and hydrocephalus. Her parents weren't sure she would make it but today she is a survivor because of Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Andrea's Success Story

January 24, 2012 – In May of 2008, Andrea was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the brain stem. She was admitted to the Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, for surgery and treatment.

Carin's Success Story

January 12, 2012 – Carin was diagnosed with medulloblastoma (a highly malignant primary brain tumor) at age eleven. She was operated on to remove the tumor, and she also had radiation treatments. She is thirty seven years old now and lives and works in Ohio.

David's Success Story

January 09, 2012 – David was ten and a half years old when first diagnosed with glioblastoma, a stage 4 brain cancer, in his right temporal lobe. After going through thirty three radiation treatments and being told he had only three months to live, Dave recovered and is cancer free.

Destiny's Cancer Success Story

July 17, 2007 – Destiny has worked her magic while battling a persistent form of cancer. The journey began when two large tumors – one the size of a fist – were found in Destiny’s brain when the child was just 18 months old. Within a day of the diagnosis, Destiny was in the hands of Nicklaus Children's neurosurgeon Dr. Glenn Morrison, who successfully removed the tumors.