Roy Burger

Roy was a happy, smiling, 14 month old toddler when he was diagnosed with Bilateral Wilms tumors. After going in for an MRI for unrelated reasons it was noted that his blood pressure was extremely high and we later found out it had been overlooked for quite some time. Just a few days later our lives changed forever when we were told our miracle child had cancer. A child who brings joy to everyone he meets, who lights up the room and hasn’t met a person who hasn’t instantly become his friend. Looking back suddenly other symptoms misdiagnosed were clear such as the frequent fussiness and frequent ER visits for fevers and vomiting.

Just a few days after the MRI on November 1st 2022 we met with a nephrologist to find out what was going on with his blood pressure and a few tests and few hours later Roy was being admitted to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital with kidney cancer; the tumors taking up nearly all of both kidneys.

While admitted Roy underwent an MRI, CT, ECHO, had his port placed and started his rigorous chemotherapy. Roy had 9 weeks of chemotherapy and on January 31st he had his first partial nephrectomy on the left side. A team of three surgeons worked for 6 hours and removed seven tumors and 14 lymph nodes and luckily were able to save about 60% of his left kidney.

We currently are waiting for the official pathology results. On March 14th 2023 Roy is scheduled for the second part where they work on his right kidney and we pray they will be able to save the kidney. While waiting for surgery Roy will continue with chemo. After surgery Roy will have additional treatment based off the staging and pathology results.

“…Thank you for everything your organization is doing for our family and has done for other families like ours. You help to shed a little light on our darkness and bring some much needed hope to our hearts.” ~Mary, Roy’s Mom

(Roy with Mom and Dad, Mary & Jeffrey)