Her fight is our fight! Please consider helping my beautiful 18-year-old niece Brooklynne and her family as she begins her battle against brain cancer. Brooke will be undergoing six weeks of proton radiation treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, followed by 2 years of chemotherapy.
Brooklynne’s story: Six and a half years ago, Brooke began complaining of headaches and vision problems. What started as a routine trip to the eye doctor quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare. They were sent to the emergency room to consult with an ophthalmologist for what was initially believed to be an inflamed optic nerve. But imagine their shock when, instead, they were told that their daughter—who just days earlier had been flipping through the air at gymnastics practice—had a brain tumor. Within days, surgeons operated to remove a baseball-sized tumor from the left side of her brain. Pathology revealed it was a Grade 2 Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), a rare benign tumor that accounts for only 1% of pediatric brain tumors. It carries a 20% chance of recurrence and the risk of progressing to a Grade 3 tumor if it returns.
Despite everything, Brooke was a shining light. From the comfort of her hospital bed, she never missed a chance to crack a joke or find a way to make others smile. She quickly became well-known throughout the pediatric floor, where all the nurses affectionately called her ‘The Girl Who Was Vaulting Blind.’ She had told the doctors that during practice, she couldn’t see the vaulting table out of her right eye—but she trusted it was there and went for it anyway. She kept it a secret from her coaches and parents, afraid they wouldn’t let her compete if they knew. Her love for gymnastics was so strong that she defied all expectations and returned to the mat—under restrictions—to compete again that season.
On September 15, 2021—during her three-year scan—doctors discovered another tumor, believed to be unrelated to her original one. On November 19, Brooke once again underwent surgery, this time to remove a lymphatic malformation, which, thankfully, was found to be benign and unrelated to her first tumor.
Fast forward to 2025, Brooke was on the verge of graduating from Prior Lake High School, but at her annual check-up, scans revealed that her original brain tumor had returned and she would once again need to undergo surgery to have it removed. On Monday, June 9th, Brooke successfully underwent surgery to remove her tumor. Hopes were high that the tumor would once again be benign, but our prayers were not to be answered when the doctors discovered her tumor had indeed morphed into brain cancer.
Brooke is a beautiful soul—inside and out. Her drive, determination, and sense of humor have carried her through unimaginable challenges and continue to inspire everyone who meets her. She has faced every setback with grace and a positive spirit. But Brooke believes there’s a reason all of this has happened to her: that her story is meant to be shared, to help others facing similar battles.
This fall, she plans to attend the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and is hopeful that this latest setback won’t delay her start in August. True to her resilient and compassionate nature, Brooke plans to major in pediatric oncology nursing—believing it’s part of God’s plan for her to support others walking a path she knows all too well.
Most would be overwhelmed by such a whirlwind of emotions and events, but not Brooke. She’s facing it all with the same strength, grace, and unshakable optimism that have defined her journey. Her story isn’t just one of survival—it’s one of purpose, unwavering hope, and courage.
