GoFundMe To Benefit Stamford Boy Battling Brain Cancer

STAMFORD, CT — A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to help a 10-year-old Stamford boy in his fight against a rare form of brain cancer.

As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser had garnered 282 donations, totaling over $38,000 out of a $50,000 goal.

Samuel Lopez was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma of the left basal ganglia and thalamus, according to the description of the fundraiser, which was set up by Jackie Arroyo Rivera, the boy's aunt.

Arroyo Rivera said the diagnosis came suddenly and unexpectedly to the family.

"Sam is a kid that's always been full of life and happy but so much has changed for him in the blink of an eye," Arroyo Rivera said, noting that proceeds from the fundraiser will help with travel for treatment and other expenses.

Lopez, a 4th grader at Toquam Elementary School, according to News 12 CT, was diagnosed in December 2022.

In an update on the GoFundMe page last week, Lopez's mother, Idalia Navarro Lopez, said he celebrated his 10th birthday on Feb. 8.

On Feb. 10, the family marked 25 sessions of radiation. He has eight more sessions to go.

"We are optimistic and positive for a good outcome," Navarro Lopez said. "He has [remained] in good spirit even with his ups and downs and side effects from radiation. He is a fighter."

Several donors have offered words of support on the fundraiser. One of them was Lopez's third grade teacher, Dr. Elizabeth Merturi.

"I love you, Sam. My prayers are with you. You are a fighter. I was so blessed to have had you in my class. Your smile brightened my day," she wrote. "Each day, I learned some fascinating facts from you about animals, Pokemon, Lego building, animals, science, Japan, art, history, building and so many other areas. There are so many people who love and support you. I am here for you."

>>>Click here to view the GoFundMe page.

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