Wayne Girl Battling Cancer Receiving Radiation Treatment

WAYNE, NJ — A brave township 6-year-old is continuing her fight against aggressive cancer.

Gianna Matthews remains hospitalized and has started radiation therapy as part of her treatment for a malignant brain tumor called Anaplastic Medulloblastoma. (See related: Adopted Wayne 6-Year-Old Battling Aggressive Brain Cancer)

The radiation treatment is five days a week for five weeks, said Heather McNamara, a friend of the family. Matthews has also started receiving chemotherapy treatments on Thursdays.

The radiation treatments will last through October. After a brief break, a specialized chemotherapy treatment will begin, McNamara said.

Matthews remains bed-ridden, unable to speak or eat. She is receiving physical therapy to regain her lost motor skills and mobility.

Matthews' mother, Felicia works for the township. McNamara started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise $30,000 to help the family pay for medical bills. More than $18,100 has been donated since the campaign went live in July.

Matthews and her husband adopted Felicia in 2015 after fostering her for more than three years.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Gianna Matthews, 6 (Courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch)