Hello Reader,

On March 19, 2022, Josiah’s life, and his family’s, changed forever. What started as severe headaches and nausea quickly became every parent’s worst nightmare.

A CT scan revealed something no one wanted to hear: a possible brain tumor with dangerous fluid buildup.

Within hours, Josiah was rushed by ambulance to Riley Children’s Hospital, where he had emergency surgery to place a drain to relieve the pressure on his brain. The very next day, surgeons attempted a biopsy, but complications meant they could only take a small sample. That sample was sent to Mayo Clinic, and weeks later the results came back with devastating news.

Josiah had an inoperable low-grade glioma brain tumor with a rare mutation (BRAF/GNA1).

From there, Josiah began a grueling 58 weeks of chemotherapy.

Four weeks on, two weeks off.

The side effects were brutal. As his mom says,

By mid-2023, Josiah completed traditional chemo. But heartbreak came again in 2024 when scans showed his tumor and a cyst had grown. In July, he began a newly approved oral chemo that will continue for at least a year.

The journey has left visible marks: Josiah’s hair has turned white, his skin has lightened, and yet…

He still smiles. He still fights. Even on his hardest days, Josiah keeps going.

For Josiah’s mom, a single parent bartending to provide for her son, the challenges are overwhelming. Without paid time off or additional assistance beyond insurance, every missed shift means more financial strain. But still... she shows up. For Josiah. For hope. For another day.

This is why Brave Like McKenna exists.

Families like Josiah’s shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone. And because of your generosity, they don't have to.

​Your donations help us provide gas cards, groceries, urgent assistance, and care packs to families navigating treatment when they need it most.

This Fighter Friday, we invite you to honor Josiah’s courage by helping us support families like his and consider a donation to Brave Like McKenna.

Thank you for walking with us, carrying McKenna’s light forward, and showing Josiah, and so many kids like him, that they are never alone in this fight.