Josh: 20 Years Cancer-Free
The PBTF is honored to partner with the Lymers and other pediatric brain tumor families during Brain Tumor Awareness Month and beyond to raise funds and awareness for a cure. Support the Lymer’s fundraising efforts here.
Josh Lymer and his family’s road to today wasn’t easy, but they consider themselves some of the lucky ones. Josh was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor when he was 7 years old after his parents Rick and LaRae noticed he was closing one eye while learning to read. When the doctor said Josh was simply farsighted, that didn’t feel quite right to LaRae.
Within hours of getting a second opinion, Josh had an MRI. Doctors sat LaRae and Rick down, showing them images of an orange-sized tumor in their son’s brain.
“It’s been a long time, but I can still feel going into that room. Seeing that big mass makes your heart just drop. You go into survival mode — feeling hopeless one moment, then more optimistic the next,” describes Rick.
Days later, surgeons were able to remove all of Josh’s brain tumor. But after surgery, Josh had to relearn how to walk and endure six weeks of radiation, a year and a half of chemotherapy, plus the long-term treatment side effects.
Now nearly 20 years later, Josh is cancer-free and living independently.
LaRae says, “we watch Josh and how well he’s doing and are thankful every day. It wasn’t easy for him to succeed in the world that doesn’t have a lot of accommodations for when you have problems with mobility and learning — but he’s done it!”
Josh enjoys scuba diving and just bought his own motorcycle, which he plans to ride at the PBTF’s Minnesota Ride for Kids in July. This will be the Lymer’s 15th year attending and fundraising for the ride.
After Josh’s diagnosis, they first learned of Ride for Kids through local dealership Moon Motorsports, who also provided a motorcycle for Rick to ride. The Lymers describe their first Ride for Kids experience as very special — and every year since, they have prioritized attending and fundraising for the event.
“Everyone made us feel so welcome and really made it a fun event to go to. They treat the kids so well, and it’s just a big family of riders committed to helping kids like Josh with brain tumors,” says Rick.
Not only did Ride for Kids provide a community of support for the Lymers, they believe that the PBTF’s research funding made a lifesaving difference for Josh. Unfortunately, far too many families’ stories are different. Their children, many whom the Lymers met through Ride for Kids, didn’t get to grow up like Josh.
That’s their driving force to keep telling Josh’s story and fundraising year after year — raising money for the kids that are going through the struggle today, for more research and better treatments, so that they can all come out on the other side like Josh.
With your help, this is a future we can achieve. Donate today or get involved with one of PBTF’s fundraising events like Ride for Kids and give all children and teens with brain tumors a fighting chance.
