Dear Brave Like McKenna Family,

This Fighter Friday, we are honored to introduce you to Dean, an incredibly resilient young man who began the fight of his life on what should have been a day of celebration.

In March 2025, Dean was diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and began treatment on his 18th birthday.

Since that day, Dean's life has been filled with intensive treatments, frequent hospital stays, and serious complications, including necrotizing pneumonia and a recent blood infection. Despite the setbacks and delays, Dean continues to face each challenge with remarkable strength, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor that inspires those around him.

Dean's mom is a single parent and his full-time caregiver. She stays by his side during hospitalizations, manages his care at home, and travels more than two hours each way to the children's hospital where he receives treatment. At the same time, she is navigating her own health challenges, including chronic medical conditions and kidney cancer.

The emotional and financial burdens have been overwhelming. Between medical expenses, travel costs, lost work opportunities, and everyday household bills, this family is carrying more than anyone should have to bear alone.

Yet through it all, they continue to show incredible courage and perseverance.

When you donate to Brave Like McKenna, you are helping us surround families like Dean's with love, support, and hope... and we can't thank you enough.

With gratitude,

The Brave Like McKenna Foundation