Corey is a three-time cancer survivor. He doesn't remember any of what he went through because he was so young. When Corey was 1 year old, he was diagnosed with stage I Wilms' tumor, a pediatric kidney cancer. A two-pound tumor was removed, along with his right kidney and some lymph nodes. Unfortunately, just three months after finishing chemotherapy treatments Corey's cancer relapsed to his lungs and lower spine area. He was paralyzed for a few weeks until the new chemotherapy and radiation treatments started working. After finishing an intensive 24-week protocol that kept Corey in the hospital most of the time, Corey enjoyed 10 months of being cancer-free and relearned how to walk with the help of leg braces. 

During follow-up scans in December of 2007, a small tumor was found in Corey's left lung. Since this was his second recurrence, there was no protocol to follow. After considering many opinions from different doctors, Corey was treated at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Under Dr. Marcio Malogolowkin's (a Wilms' tumor specialist) care, Corey received Topotecan for four months and immediately it worked. Corey also had to have lung surgery to remove the dead tumor. Once recovered from surgery, Corey was hospitalized to undergo high dose chemotherapy with a rescue of his own stem cells. This is another breakthrough therapy seen to work and could only have been available to Corey through research efforts. It was the best option and the closest thing we could get at the time, for a “cure”, and put Corey in remission.

After a long and trying battle, Corey has been cancer-free since May 2008. We are so thankful for every little milestone he conquers in his life. However, Corey has been dealing with many late-term side effects from the treatments he received. The government only spends 4% on pediatric cancer research. Some children are given treatment protocols that are over 30 years old. We have lobbied Congress, shared Corey’s miracle story to spread awareness at numerous childhood cancer research events, and are disappointed that children are still last on the priority list for funding research. Corey is currently seen annually by numerous specialists to track his progress from the experimental treatments he received.

In the last few years, Corey has had three surgeries. Corey developed kyphosis from the spinal radiation he received as a baby. He had spinal fusion surgery and his spinal chord was untethered (a bundle of nerves in the lumbar area was keeping his spinal chord tied down). Due to that surgery, he lost some sensation in his feet and needed tendon transfers on both feet to improve his foot drop issues. This has been heartbreaking for him since he was previously so athletic and loved participating in sports. Most recently, Corey had surgery on his left foot for tendon transfer and foot/ankle reconstruction. He continues to take growth hormone to help with his growth challenges. He wears leg braces now and goes to physical therapy. He needs another spinal surgery soon because a few screws are now broken from the previous fusion. He does not like any attention about his past history or to be treated differently. However, he understands that it is important to spread awareness to help others. 

Corey graduated June of 2023 from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, CA. He now attends Orange Coast Community College and hopes to transfer to UC San Diego after.

Written by Debra Zdrazil, Corey’s Mom
Upated January 2024