Gunner's Story

In August of 2017, we found a brain tumor and it was life threatening. Gunner was airlifted from Children’s Hospital to Vanderbilt for emergency brain surgery. Before boarding the helicopter, Gunner asked for only one thing…his shirt that said “All Heart”. We had just received atrocious news but he was already showing his warrior spirit. That night before going to sleep Gunner informed his parents that “God had chosen him for this.  We got this.”

He underwent a successful 6-hour surgery followed by six weeks of recovery. The cancer diagnosis was a high-grade glioma. After that, he started 6 weeks of daily proton radiation along with an oral chemo. Upon finishing radiation treatments, Gunner started 48 weeks of intravenous chemotherapy Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. He finished treatments on Halloween day 2018.

He was cancer free until February 12, 2019. The cancer came back and he was scheduled for another brain surgery February 15 and again on February 17. These surgeries were said to be successful.

Gunner’s cancer remained stable for almost a year before discovering it had spread again in May 2020. Gunner tried yet another chemotherapy. However, the cancer grew. The doctors decided to have him undergo 7 weeks of daily proton radiation treatment again. He did that with a warrior spirit despite the long list of possible side effects. 

Sadly on May 28, 2021 at 3:27pm Gunner went to be with the Lord.  He passed at home with his loving parents and sisters by his side.  He battled the entire way, while inspiring people all over the country.  Gunner will be missed by many, but the impact he had on the world will live forever.

 

In Gunner's memory, the All Heart Gunner Foundation has been established to aid others in need, and to bring more awareness to pediatric cancer.