Los Angeles, Ca
Family seeks help after 10-year-old Southern California boy diagnosed with rare brain cancer
A Riverside County mother is hoping to get some help from the public after her 10-year-old son has been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer.
Sebastian Guerra fell ill and found out he had the rare cancer on his 10th birthday in January.
“I’m just surprised that I have brain cancer,” the boy said to KTLA 5’s Jennifer McGraw. “I don’t think anybody knows how I got it.”
Guerra was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, which is the most aggressive type of brain cancer. The tumors are central nervous system-based, meaning they begin in the brain or spinal cord, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Data from the NCI shows that roughly 577 people are diagnosed across the country each year. Children who have diffuse midline glioma typically have a survival rate of one to two years.
Guerra’s mother, Katherine Mosier, says the family is trying everything it can to get the proper care for the boy. The only option available to them is radiation treatment.
Mosier is taken aback by how much fight, and patience her son is showing through treatment.
“Every single day, 30 times, sit still so we’re able to get him treatment,” she said. “He never complains, he just was like, ‘I can do this.’”
Mosier adds that it has been difficult for her to watch her child go through this serious health issue.
“There are moments in this journey, where as a parent, you feel like you have no control,” Mosier said. “It’s very hard.”
On top of the radiation treatment, Guerra is also going through a clinical trial to try and shrink the tumor. The family is hopeful that the trial will buy them some more time and for the cancer to go into remission.
Mosier says the financial burden has been heavy.
“Our government funding only provides 4% of funding to all pediatric cancer,” she said. “And about only 1% goes to pediatric brain tumors.”
Mosier adds that the lack of funding has resulted in fewer clinical trials being available to anyone who is diagnosed with the rare, aggressive cancer.
Guerra has been staying strong throughout treatments and is trying to remain optimistic that he will get better.
“I’m hoping for Jesus to fix my brain,” Guerra said.
The family has started an online fundraiser to help with the cost of medical bills and treatment for Guerra.
Los Angeles, Ca
Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California
As devasting wildfires continue to burn Southern California, residents and organizations are stepping up to provide aid to those affected.
Here’s how you can support wildfire victims on their path to recovery.
- KTLA 5 parent company, Nexstar Media Group, has partnered with the American Red Cross to launch a donation page for Southern California wildfire victims. Donations can be placed here.
- Baby2Baby is accepting donations to support children impacted by the wildfires.
- GoFundMe has compiled a list of verified fundraisers for people impacted by the ongoing wildfires.
- SPCALA’s Disaster Animal Response Team is seeking donations to support emergency services, such as temporary animal shelters and front-line veterinary care.
- The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is accepting donations to support firefighters on the front lines. The foundation is seeking monetary donations, wildland brush tools, hydration backpacks, and emergency fire shelters.
- The California Fire Foundation is looking for donations to support surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve.
- The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations and items to support those affected by the wildfires.
- World Central Kitchen, spearheaded by Chef José Andrés, has a relief team in Southern California to assist first responders and families. The organization is accepting donations to support the ongoing relief effort.
- The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
- Direct Relief is also accepting donations to support those impacted by the wildfires.
- Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE, is accepting donations to support wildfire victims.
Los Angeles, Ca
Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home
One of the five confirmed fatalities from the destructive Eaton Fire was identified on Wednesday morning when his family found his body on the side of the road by their home – with a garden hose still in his hand.
According to his loved ones, 66-year-old Victor Shaw died trying to defend the home that had been in his family for nearly 55 years.
As of Wednesday night, Victor’s body was still on his family’s property in the 3000 block of Monterose Avenue as conditions were not yet safe enough for the coroner’s office to retrieve him.
Victor lived in that home with his younger sister, Shari Shaw, who said that she tried to get him to evacuate with her on Tuesday night as the fire moved toward them.
Those close to Victor said he had some health problems that prevented him from moving around very well.
As she was running out the door, Shari said Victor told her he wanted to stay behind and try to fight the fire.
“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm – I had to save myself,” Shari told KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “And I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave.”
A family friend, Al Tanner, told KTLA that the next morning, they found Victor’s charred body on the side of the road with the hose.
“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had for almost 55 years,” said Tanner.
“I fell to the ground, and I didn’t know – I didn’t want to look at him,” said Shari. “They just told me that he was lying on the ground and that he looked serene, as if he was at peace.”
As of early morning Thursday, the cause of the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire remained under investigation.
The Eaton Fire was one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The largest, the 17,234-acre Palisades Fire, destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures. A separate 855-acre fire, the Hurst Fire, burned in the L.A. neighborhood of Sylmar. A fast-moving fire in the Antelope Valley called the Lidia Fire has burned at least 348 acres and forced evacuations. Crews have made progress on the 43-acre Sunset Fire which forced rapid evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.
Los Angeles, Ca
Help needed as injured animals arrive at Pasadena Humane Society due to wildfire
As the deadly Eaton Fire continues burning in Los Angeles County, Pasadena Humane is seeking help as a large number of animals are being evacuated.
Over 100 animals arrived at the organization on Wednesday, and workers expected more drop-offs to come in over the next few days.
“Due to the proximity of the evacuation zones, we are also making preparations to evacuate the shelter, if needed,” workers said. “At this time, all animals are safe and unharmed at the shelter.”
Many of the animals arriving at the shelter were found with burn injuries.
Shelter workers said critical supplies are needed due to the influx of animals including food, water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Anyone able to donate these items can drop them off at the donation bin located at the shelter’s front parking lot.
On Wednesday, workers said kennel space was filling up quickly and evacuees who need emergency boarding for their pets can drop them off at spcaLA at 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Los Angeles. Large animals should be taken to the L.A. Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Dr. in Burbank.
Pasadena Humane Animal Control Officers will continue working in the field, assisting with animal evacuations, while Pasadena Humane staff are working round-the-clock at the shelter to care for the animals of displaced families.
“We are currently coordinating with Cal Animals and ASPCA disaster response to mobilize more resources to assist with the situation,” staff said. “We anticipate getting in even more animals who are in need of emergency medical care as the fires continue.”
As shelter space is limited, anyone who can foster a dog or cat for at least a week is urged to email the Pasadena Humane Foster Office or visit in person.
Donations to provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires can be made here. Anyone who finds injured wildlife can text 626-344-1129 or call Animal Control at 626-792-7151 ext. 970.
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