Fairfield Child Battles Brain Tumor; Community Rallies In Support

FAIRFIELD, CT — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to benefit 8-year-old Fairfield resident Teddy Marchione, who is battling a pediatric brain tumor that has multiple surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy.

Teddy was just 2 years old when he was diagnosed with the tumor, which led his mother, Molly, to leave her job as a nurse at Norwalk Hospital to care for him full-time.

"In July 2018, [Teddy] underwent a 10-hour surgery to try and remove the tumor that most likely started growing in utero according to his neurosurgeon," wrote Jeanne Hegedus, a family friend who organized the GoFundMe effort on the behald of the Marchiones. "Since then he has received countless rounds of chemotherapy. Teddy is currently on his 4th chemo treatment protocol which is a clinical trial at Dana Farber that he’s been traveling to Boston monthly for since 2022. As a result of these treatments, Teddy has reduced vision and several endocrine issues due to the tumor's proximity to his optic nerve and pituitary. All of which require very careful medical care and monitoring to keep his body functioning."

As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe effort had raised more than $18,600 toward a goal of $100,000.

Teddy has two brothers, 10-year-old Charlie and 2-year-old Jackie, and their father, Ryan, is holding down a full-time job while also caring for the other two boys. Teddy and his brothers love baseball, with both Teddy and Charlie members of local teams.

Earlier this month, Teddy traveled to Ohio for another brain surgery, this one to remove built-up scar tissue that was causing Teddy to suffer through severe seizures, according to Hegedus. His brothers can't wait for him to return home.

"We want to do whatever we can to help ease the financial burden of household bills and mounting medical expenses so please consider donating to this family as they get through this most difficult time," Hegedus wrote. "More importantly, please keep our sweet Teddy bear and his family in your prayers. Thanks so much."

To view the GoFundMe campaign on behalf of Teddy Marchione and his family, click here.