MARBLEHEAD – For nearly two decades, Swampscott resident Beth Shribman has been participating in the annual Jimmy Fund Walk, which raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. But she never imagined that the fight for a cure would hit so close to home.
Shribman’s nephew, 3-year-old JJ Weiss, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a type of cancerous brain tumor, this past winter. JJ had a craniotomy to remove the tumor, but he then suffered from posterior fossa syndrome and needed to relearn how to talk and use his arms and legs.
Now, six months later, JJ is walking and even back to riding his favorite scooter, according to his mom and Marbleheader Samantha Weiss. She added that JJ is “incredibly persistent and motivated.”
“The first time we made it home from the hospital, he stayed up late practicing standing,” Weiss said. “He wanted to play on the train table with Luke (JJ’s twin brother) and his friends the next day. More recently, we have been able to visit his school. After his first trip to recess, he insisted he wanted to walk. He spent hours that day practicing walking across the kitchen so he would be ready for his next trip to school.
“All he wants is to be a regular kid again, and to keep up with his brothers, cousins and friends. His physical recovery, all while undergoing high dose chemotherapy, has been incredible to witness. There are some days he can’t get out of bed, and many days the rest of us wouldn’t want to get out of bed, but he is incredibly determined.”
Team JJ was created as the fundraising team to support JJ and walk in this year’s Jimmy Fund walk. The Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 5 this fall has 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon walk options. Team JJ has members who will be walking all distances. According to Weiss, Team JJ will likely have about 50 participants, with some walkers even joining virtually from Paris, France, London, England, and Chicago, Illinois.
Donations to Team JJ go directly to research being performed by JJ’s doctor at Dana-Farber. To support Team JJ in reaching its $50,000 goal, visit tinyurl.com/SupportTeamJJ. So far, there has been almost $39,000 raised.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from our family, friends and this community. The outpouring of support has been incredible. Funding for research is needed to advance treatment protocols and survival rates. The treatment options today have life-altering side effects, especially on young children whose brains are still developing. While it’s been difficult to share JJ’s story, we are doing so in order to raise awareness and to help the next child and family facing this horrible disease,” Weiss said.
