I am starting this fundraiser on behalf of my son’s friend, Maverick. Maverick is a 7th-grade student at Tremont Middle School. He loves to draw, play video games, play basketball, ride his bike, and ride four-wheelers; typical boy! He is an empath and wears his heart on his sleeve. He has a sense of humor that you can’t help but love and a smile that could light up a room when he walks in.
Last year, during a routine 6th-grade physical and lab testing, Maverick’s parents heard the worst news that a parent could possibly receive. On July 31st, 2024, Jason & Amanda were told Maverick had leukemia. Through the endless rounds of chemo, Maverick was a trooper despite all the ups and downs. He has spent countless nights in the hospital and missed his entire 6th-grade year at school. On June 8th, 2025 (Sunday), Maverick was nauseous after receiving treatment the previous Friday. After some vomiting, he became unresponsive, and 911 was called. He was taken by ambulance to the ED where a CT scan showed he had a brain bleed. They took Maverick in for emergency surgery to remove a portion of his skull and relieve pressure that was building. Three days later (Wednesday), fluid was starting to build up on his brain, so a drain was placed on the other side of his head to relieve the pressure that continued to build. In short, Maverick had a stroke. Thursday morning, an MRI was ordered as Maverick is not weaning off the ventilator, and it may be possible that he has had another stroke. While there is treatment for a stroke caused by a clot, Maverick cannot receive this since pressure is still building in his brain. There are many unknowns at this time, and this will be updated as the family gets answers.
It is hard to find the words to say to another parent when you have never been through something this traumatic, but I will say this: Amanda & Jason have been the strongest people when it comes to Maverick and what he has been through. I have never seen them show weakness or ask anyone for help. Amanda has a job that has allowed her to stay home this last year with Maverick, and she has not left his side through anything. She has been his warrior. Right now, Amanda & Jason need warriors! As a St. Jude patient, as most know, costs are never a concern. However, the fight he is in right now is not routine cancer treatment. Any donation will help, small or large. DoorDash or restaurant gift cards are appreciated also; they can only eat so much hospital food!
