Donations Pour in for Framingham 6-Year-Old Diagnosed with Inoperable Brain Tumor

The family of Devin Suau has been "completely moved to tears," after hundreds of generous donors gave more than $90,000 within a day to a fund that hopes to save the Framingham six-year-old's life.

Devin, the son of Christine and James Suau, has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor that leaves him with a life expectancy of as little as eight months, maybe two years at most, according to a GoFundMe page established to seek a treatment.

The dimpled six-year-old, the youngest of four boys, likes to dance and make funny faces, according to his Aunt Amy, who set up the page. He demands attention with his spunk and personality, even alongside older brothers and a crowd of cousins, she said.

"Doctors have explained that the tumor, known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), is a very rare and aggressive form of cancer typically found in children ages 5-9. Only 200-300 children in the United States each year are diagnosed with DIPG as they struggle to find a cure. This type of tumor is located at the base of the brain and the top of the spine. Over time, it will impact all of little Devin's essential bodily functions: heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, eyesight and balance," she wrote on the page. "Doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital have informed us that radiation treatments are the best we can do to keep Devin comfortable for his remaining time. As we struggle to pick our heads up and grasp what we are being told we just simply cannot allow this to happen without a fight. We have been calling doctors, sending scans and turning to clinical trials to see if any breakthrough treatments exist."

Donations to the GoFundMe page will go toward seeking those treatments, and for helping the Suau family bear the financial burden while their son is hospitalized.

The fund was created Tuesday with a $50,000 goal. Already, as of early Wednesday, over $90,000 has been donated by more than 1,000 people. The GoFundMe page has also morphed into a de facto information-sharing hub, with commenters sharing links to doctors and foundations focused on DPIG.

You can donate and learn more here.

Image via GoFundMe