When Gabe was just two years old, he was diagnosed with an Ependymoma, a type of brain tumor. He and his parents left their home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to seek care at both St. Louis Children’s Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. After completing treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center, they returned to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for follow-ups.
After two years of frequent trips to St. Louis, Gabe’s neurosurgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Leonard, left St. Louis to become Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Gabe’s family chose to follow Dr. Leonard to continue under his care.

“Doctor and clinic appointments are wearisome and waiting for results create a lot of anxiety, and an unsettled stomach. However, we thank the Lord for strengthening our faith through Gabe’s illness and for bringing us to Dr. Leonard and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. At Nationwide Children’s we feel safe, encouraged, and supported as we know Gabe is surrounded by skilled doctors and nurses who understand both children’s and parents’ fears,” say Gabe’s parents, Mark and Anna.

Gabe is now a seven-year survivor. He is on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) at school, but is in a regular classroom and remains on grade level in all of his subjects. Although he sometimes suffers from balance and coordination issues, muscle weakness, and mild seizure activity, Gabe still remains happy, resilient, and full of life. He loves to play soccer, watch movies, and learn about running a business, which entails holding mock office meetings with family and friends.

https://flutter.nationwidechildrens.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/gabe.jpg

• Name: Gabe .Gabe
• Condition(s): Ependymoma
• Age at Treatment: 2

When Gabe was just two years old, he was diagnosed with an Ependymoma, a type of brain tumor. He and his parents left their home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to seek care at both St. Louis Children’s Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. After completing treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center, they returned to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for follow-ups.
After two years of frequent trips to St. Louis, Gabe’s neurosurgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Leonard, left St. Louis to become Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Gabe’s family chose to follow Dr. Leonard to continue under his care.

“Doctor and clinic appointments are wearisome and waiting for results create a lot of anxiety, and an unsettled stomach. However, we thank the Lord for strengthening our faith through Gabe’s illness and for bringing us to Dr. Leonard and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. At Nationwide Children’s we feel safe, encouraged, and supported as we know Gabe is surrounded by skilled doctors and nurses who understand both children’s and parents’ fears,” say Gabe’s parents, Mark and Anna.

Gabe is now a seven-year survivor. He is on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) at school, but is in a regular classroom and remains on grade level in all of his subjects. Although he sometimes suffers from balance and coordination issues, muscle weakness, and mild seizure activity, Gabe still remains happy, resilient, and full of life. He loves to play soccer, watch movies, and learn about running a business, which entails holding mock office meetings with family and friends.