Help Theodore Fight a
Rare Tumor

About two months after Theodore was born, his family noticed something was wrong. What they discovered was devastating: a Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy (MNTI) — a tumor so rare that most specialists have never seen one in their entire careers.

The tumor destroyed part of Theodore's upper jaw and cranial bone. It began affecting his ability to breathe and eat, quickly becoming life-threatening. His family in Miami Beach scrambled to find specialists who could help.

Surgery required a team of specialists — several of whom, with decades of experience, had never personally treated a case this severe. Theodore's case is now formally studied in the medical literature due to its rarity and severity.

The pathology reports raise concerns about remaining margins, which may require additional procedures. Craniofacial specialists have indicated that the damage from the tumor will likely require long-term reconstruction and monitoring throughout childhood and into adolescence — including bone grafting, jaw support, and dental rehabilitation as he grows.

Because MNTI is so rare, much of Theodore's specialized care is out-of-network. Insurance complications mean a significant portion of his care will be out of pocket. The financial burden on the family is immense — on top of everything else they are dealing with.