Gavin S.

“Before cancer I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, now I think something in the field of oncology would be a cool option because I have so much experience with it.”Gavin Snowhite, 13 years old, Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma.

In November 2017, Gavin just wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to get out of bed, which was completely uncharacteristic for the active teenager who enjoys horseback riding, fishing, paddle boarding, biking, and lacrosse. Physicians initially diagnosed him with anemia and later that month changed his diagnosis to Epstein Barr. Further testing eventually rendered a diagnosis of Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma.

He is currently in a research medication study and his treatment involves both chemotherapy and proton radiation therapy. Asked how cancer is affecting his life, Gavin responded: “Chemo is not fun at all but I’ll get by. The worst part is the nausea and I get really sick from it. In May I’ll start radiation and right now I can’t do as much as I used to but it’ll be back to normal in a month or two I’m sure. My friends are giving me space and they care and check on me. Right now I’m immune compromised so I can’t be around people as much, but my doctors and nurses are really super nice.”

“I can’t do anything outdoors like I love to. I have a horse named Ranger who is basically a big dog and super lovable. I miss riding him but I also have a fluffy rabbit that is almost therapeutic. And there is a loggerhead turtle that was named after me. They heard about me and named him Gavin. He was caught in a fisherman’s lines and is now getting rehabilitated at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. I went to see him and he was in a small pool and wasn’t feeling well but would stick his head out of the water every time he came around and looked at me. He is now in a bigger tank and scheduled to be released in a few months. It’s pretty cool.”

In May 2018 Gavin will begin proton radiation therapy in Miami, Florida. The cost for his family to relocate there for a month were causing a major financial burden so Chasin A Dream Foundation will be covering these costs for the family.

May 2018:
Gavin is currently in Miami undergoing proton radiation therapy, and according to his parents his spirits remain high and they ask for everyones prayers. As part of his daily treatment, he must wear this radiation mask, but as always Gavin continues to have a positive outlook and smiles through it all. This phase of treatment will continue for a month.

Thanks to your generous donations, Chasin A Dream Foundation is covering the expenses for the family to live in Miami for a month, thus, alleviating the stress of commenting from south Miami to Florida daily.

June 2018:
Gavin received his last proton radiation treatment and has thankfully entered the maintenance phase. Chasin A Dream Foundation purchased a laptop and software for Gavin so he will be able to enter high school in a few months and keep up with this studies on his own computer. Gavin plans on attending college in a few years and doing something in the medical field.