For Alyssa, her compass in life is setting an example for her children. “They are what they choose to become.” She deeply believes that it is possible to be greater than the pain you experience.

But even the most resilient families have their limits. A full-time college student and mother of twin boys, Alyssa was already stressed out. Then one of her sons, Karter, was diagnosed with Choroid Plexus Carcinoma. From then on, she and the twins packed up every other week for a 6 hour roundtrip journey to the hospital. With gas, parking, tolls, and other expenses, this was a significant challenge. Alyssa, who has always strived to be greater than her pain, didn’t know how she was going to overcome this hurdle. Then Compass to Care stepped in. “Compass to Care has helped by taking the financial burden off of our plate when we were going through some of the hardest times we’ve ever been through,” says Alyssa. “It has been a huge blessing in our lives and we are forever grateful for this organization!”

Since he started with us four years ago, Karter’s treatment plan has changed many times. A genetic mutation called Li Fraumeni syndrome, which blocks the cancer inhibitor cells in his body, makes him more susceptible to different kinds of cancer in his lifetime. This is especially dangerous in childhood, when the immune system is the most vulnerable. Due to his tumors becoming unresponsive to treatment, his doctors have had to change their strategy four times. During one trial, Karter even became ill from a reaction to the anti-cancer drug itself. His team at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital was forced to go back to the drawing board once again. Today, he has been off of chemotherapy for 10 months – the longest stretch without chemo he has ever experienced in his young life.

In the meantime, Karter has been able to focus on the things that are truly important. This usually involves his twin brother and best friend, Khristian. The five-year-olds’ favorite things to do together are watching Paw Patrol, doing anything active, playing superheroes, dressing up in costumes, building forts, and most of all, spending time together. Due to his condition, all of this could change rapidly. But what won’t change is Compass to Care’s commitment to making sure kids like Karter can get to the treatment they need. With support they can continue to be, as Alyssa hopes for her own son, more than what has happened to them.