On Friday may 30th, 2025, Xavier Christensen (15yrs old), went to the doctor because he found a lump in his abdomen. The doctor was concerned and sent him to Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles to get some imaging done, just to be safe. He then, within the next few days, was given a surgical biopsy. They were originally concerned about the possibility of Lymphoma, and even though his family was worried and also hopeful, they were not expecting to hear the very difficult news, that while it was not Lymphoma, it was instead an extremely rare, aggressive form of cancer called DSRCT. After more extensive genetic testing, and checking to see if the cancer had spread, they had found that it indeed has spread to his liver and confirmed a stage 4 diagnoses.
Xavier, a freshman and a beloved champion track star at Burroughs High School in Burbank, California, started his Chemotherapy treatment this week on Sunday, June 8th. He will be intermittently spending time at home and in the hospital, getting treatments for the next 11 months. The goal is to shrink his tumors so they can be operable as as soon as possible. Then, after his Chemo treatments, he will have surgery, and then more chemo treatments.
Although this is a lot for Xavier to go through, he is in extremely high spirits, cracking jokes with the doctors and making his family laugh constantly. He’s being visited frequently by his brother and his sister-in-law, Terrapin and Corrie, and his many MANY amazing friends from school.
This fundraiser is for 2 main things. First, Xavier will be spending prolonged periods of time in the hospital. He is not only passionate about his sport (running), but he’s also always wanted to be an animator. We would love to raise enough money for him to get an iPad Pro, with an apple pencil, a keyboard, a case, and a stand so he can comfortably work from his hospital bed. He’d love to use his iPad to learn and hone his animation skills, and even take some animation classes online.
Also, his Mom and Dad, Dave and Rachel, have an uphill battle ahead of them. Not only will there be Doctor bills, but there will be time missed from work by both of them to take care of their son. There will also be travel expenses as they navigate this particular cancer and it’s treatments at a hospital In Houston, TX, that specializes in Xavier’s type of cancer. Our goal is to raise $10,000, for the iPad, bills, and travel expenses.
Many of you seeing this know Xavier. But for those of you who don’t, there has never been a happier, funnier, and more delightful kid. He’s full of joy and smart as a whip. Even as a 5 year old, he was so funny I have many MANY stories of his antics! Our family has know his family for 15 years, and our daughter Corrie even married Xavier’s brother Terrapin. We are all praying and hoping for the best possible outcome for Xavier and we hope you will join us with prayers, friendship, love, and generosity toward them!
Thank you kindly, God Bless.
