Dalton loves sports, especially basketball, which he played competitively. He is a huge Kansas Jayhawks fan as well as a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.  He loves to hang out with friends, watch funny movies, share his passion for music and just loves to laugh!

Dalton went to the doctor for the stomach flu. Dalton’s mom, Melissa, said she typically would not bring her kids to the pediatrician for a simply virus, but this time her gut told her to bring Dalton in.  During the exam, his pediatrician felt a lump in his abdomen. Dalton was sent for many tests and scans that lead to a biopsy and finally a diagnosis. Dalton was just 13 years old when he diagnosed with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT). DSCRCT is an aggressive and rare cancer that primarily occurs as masses in the abdomen.

The largest tumor in Dalton’s abdomen was the size of a small watermelon. Disease had spread throughout his body.

Dalton completed 10 rounds of very rigorous chemotherapy called the Ewings P6 protocol. He had a stem cell harvest. The family traveled to MD Anderson for HIPEC, a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy that is delivered directly to the abdomen during surgery. HIPEC was followed by 20 rounds of radiation. The family was in Texas for 3 months.

At home, Dalton began a maintenance chemo regimen for three rounds, before returning to MD Anderson for his 12 week post op and radiation scan. Unfortunately the scan showed that disease was on 5 lymph nodes. Dalton began another round of chemo in hopes this will eliminate or shrink the tumors enough, so they can be surgically removed.

Dalton is very weak from all the harsh treatments and needs an NG feeding tube for 95 percent of his nutrition. He has endured three bacterial infections. He will rescan to see if the current chemo is working.

Dalton mom hopes and prays for one clear scan and those sweet three letters, they’ve longed to hear: NED.

All Dalton wants is to be healthy enough to attend school for his freshman year of high school. Dalton goes through this unimaginable and terrifying battle without complaining. His mom, Melissa says: “He is the strongest, most courageous person I know and we are beyond proud to call him our son!

Dalton’s mom says the best medicine for their battle has been laughter. They work hard to cherish every moment and to the minutes as they come.

Dalton’s advice: “Never give up! Keep Fighting!”   

Information provided by Melissa Hanna, Dalton’s Mom
December 2015