Poway family raising funds for son’s cancer treatment

By Emily Sorensen

When Paul and Ann Denny took their youngest son to the doctor for headaches, they weren’t expecting the devastating diagnosis: a malignant brain tumor.

“Charlie had been complaining of headaches for about eight weeks,” said Ann Denny. “The doctor ordered an MRI on March 3. We’d barely walked in the door that day [after getting home] when the doctor called, saying Charlie had a brain tumor and we had to turn around and drive back to [Rady Children’s Hospital.]”

Charlie, who recently turned 14 and is an eighth grader at Twin Peaks Middle School, had a Medulloblastoma, a malignant tumor of the brain.

Two days later, he had surgery to remove the tumor. Since then, Charlie has been undergoing radiation five days a week, which will last for six weeks. Then, he will get a break before beginning chemotherapy.

“Charlie has a long, difficult road ahead of him,” said Denny. The tumor was the size of a gumball, which Denny said is on the small side for this type of tumor.

Medulloblastoma affects about 2 million people each year and are more common in children than in adults. It is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children.

The hardest part of this for Charlie has been giving up on playing soccer, said Denny. “Our family is well known through the community due to soccer.”

Charlie has played soccer since he was 5, said Denny. “He also loves snowboarding, skateboarding and golf. Luckily, he can still putt some golf balls.”

The Denny family, which also includes daughter Chelsea and sons Mikey and Jack, also has a tough road ahead of them.

While they have medical insurance, the costs of the surgery and Charlie’s ongoing treatment have currently reached $300,000 and will only get higher. “While we don’t have to pay all of that, thanks to insurance, we still are facing a massive medical bill.”

Charlie requires daily visits to the doctor, as well as weekly blood tests. “This whole thing consumes you,” said Denny. “It’s 24-7 dealing with stuff. You have no idea what people go through until you’re going through it yourself.”

The situation is complicated by the fact that Paul Denny is currently on disability, due to a recent knee replacement. Ann Denny has had to quit her job to care for Charlie. “We live paycheck to paycheck,” said Denny.

After receiving numerous offers to donate money to help, the Denny family decided to put up a fundraiser at youcaring.com. They’re hoping to raise $100,000 over the next year. “The money will be used to pay medical bills and to survive,” said Denny.

After a week, the fundraiser has already raised $7,380. Unlike other fundraising sites like Kickstarter, funds go directly into the person’s account when they’re donated, rather than when the total goal is reached. “The fundraiser has been awesome,” said Denny.

Currently, the online fundraiser is the only way the Denny family is raising money for Charlie’s treatment, though Denny said there’s been some discussion of a walk or run amongst her neighborhood. “We just have no time to think right now,” said Denny.

To donate to the Denny family, visit

www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-charlie-our-13-year-old-son-fight-brain-cancer/163010

.