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.
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Sebastian Guerra, 10, has been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. He and his mother spoke with KTLA on May 5, 2024. (KTLA) -
10-year-old Sebastian Guerra has been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer called diffuse midline glioma. The boy and his mother shared their story with KTLA on May 5, 2024. (KTLA) -
Sebastian Guerra, 10, has been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. He and his mother spoke with KTLA on May 5, 2024. (KTLA) -
Sebastian Guerra, 10, has been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. He and his mother spoke with KTLA on May 5, 2024. (KTLA)
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
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
Police are asking the public for help Wednesday in identifying a hit-and-run driver who left a woman badly injured in Long Beach late last month. The May 24 crash occurred around 11 p.m. as the victim was crossing East 2nd Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Video provided by police showed a dark-colored […]
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