When you meet Autumn, you would never know she has a brain tumor on her optic nerve. She looks like a typical spunky three-year-old. If you saw this energetic little girl out with her family playing at a park, you would never imagine what her life has been like since her diagnosis.
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nAt 6 months old, Autumn’s parents noticed rapid eye movement in one of her eyes. She was referred to an ophthalmologist, then to an eye specialist for more testing.
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nAfter months of doctor visits and many more tests, Autumn was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called optic pathway glioma. She was almost 2 years old.
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nAutumn then began 15 months of chemo treatments. She did not lose her hair or her hearing as a side effect of the chemo’ and thankfully her sight is not affected at this time.
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nAutumn will finish her chemo treatments in April and will then need to have an MRI every 3 months to check on the condition of the tumor.
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nThe family travels to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland for all of Autumn’s chemo treatments and care.
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nAutumn is the youngest of four children in her family. She has two older brothers and an older sister. She is the ‘baby’ of the family, but her mom says she rules the roost at home!
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nEven though Autumn has been through so much in her young life, she is generally a happy little girl. She loves Minnie Mouse, dinosaurs, and playing with her brothers Hot Wheels. She does not let much stop her. She is a little fighter!
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nSparrow Cash raised for Autumn will help with ongoing medical expenses and everyday living expenses. Students at Pacific Crest Middle School will ‘earn’ Sparrow Cash by completing a minimum of 256 hours of sponsored community service.