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How to support the #WhyNotDevin fund

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The community is continuing to raise money for a family whose son's fight against a brain tumor has gone viral.

Devin Suau, 6, was given between eight months and two years to live after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor for which there is no known cure: diffuse intrinsic pontine giloma (DIPG).

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His family started using #WhyNotDevin to rasie awareness, hoping that Devin could be the first ever to survive DIPG. The hashtag has gone all around the country, with hundreds wishing Devin luck, using the hashtag and wearing green in honor of Devin. Even reality TV star Kim Kardashian has tweeted about Devin, wishing him luck.

Christine Suau, Devin's mother, explained on Facebook that the best option they have is to get into a clinical trial, but even that is risky. Immunotherapy is also an option, but that also brings a lot of unknowns into the equation.

"One that hasn't been tried on anybody. One that hasn't been tested for safety. One that we have no idea what could happen and how his brain might react. Can you imagine having to make this guess for your child?" she wrote.

She also said that after choosing one option, they have to figure out the financial aspect because insurance will only pay for radiation. The family will take all of their children to whichever clinical trial they are accepted into - whether it be London, Germany, New York or California.

"There is no real plan for kids who are diagnosed with DIPG. There is no real insurance for kids diagnosed with DIPG. There is no real hope for kids with DIPG," Christine wrote.

As the family continues trying to figure out the finances, friends and community members in Framingham have been organizing multiple fundraisers for the family as well as for organizations that are working to find a cure for DIPD. The link to their GoFundMe, which has raised more than $200,000, can be found here. 

DINNERS

  • 20 percent of the sales of food and drinks to the ChadTough Foundation, which is working to end DIPG.
  • $10 from each purchase is automatically donated back to help the Suau Family. More info here. 

WEAR IT: 

Friends are selling buttons, magnets, bracelets stickers to support the family. Message one of them for more information.

Buttons: click here for more info

Stickers & Magnets: Email andrew.hohenstein@gmail.com with your order and your shipping name and address. Magnets - $7; Stickers - $3. More info here.

Bracelets: can be purchased at the front desk of the Metrowest YMCA. 

Charm Bracelets: for sale on Etsy

FRAMINGHAM RESIDENTS:

Residents are working to light up green in honor of Devin's favorite super hero, the Green Lantern.

"If you wish to support Devin and our Dream of all Green lights surrounding Framingham, please Stop by Robinsons and prepay for a Green bulb or call (508) 877-1888. The Staff at Robinson's is prepared to take your order beginning Saturday, March 11. Proceeds from the orders go directly to the #WHYNOTDEVIN fund."

SOCCER FUNDRAISER:

  • April 15 at the Athletic Club Indoor Turf. Teams can sign up to participate in the tournament and all funds raised will go to the family. Sign up here. 

If you have organized a fundraiser for the Suau family, email us here. 

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