RACINE, Wis. — Five-year-old Daryl Bealhen III is a quiet guy compared to his twin sister, Tess Bealhen, and their two cousins.
According to his family, his shy demeanor doesn’t stand a chance next to his big heart.
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Daryl Bealhen goes by “Bubba” and right now he’s in the fight of his young life.
His father, D.J. Bealhen, and his mother, Crystal Bealhen-Gliszinski, said he was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) at the end of February.
“It’s a type of brain cancer,” said Bealhen-Gliszinski. “It’s a type of tumor that actually diffuses itself around the healthy pons they call it in the brain stem. Which the brain stem controls everything you possibly do — from eating, sleeping, walking.”
Daryl Bealhen has already gone through six weeks of radiation; the tumor is showing signs of necrosis.
“He knows that he’s sick. There’s something in his brain that’s not right,” said D.J. Bealhen. “I don’t know how much he comprehends it.”
Now, the family is holding on to hope that there is some sort of clinical trial he can participate in.
“I think we had about a list of 10 places in the U.S. that have treatment for DIPG,” said Bealhen-Gliszinski. “So far, only one is able to currently, hopefully, get us in.”
They’re doing anything and everything to save their Bubba.
“I want him to live a life,” said D.J. Bealhen. “I want him to get married, have kids. I mean, if you ask him right now, he says he wants to be a firefighter. I’d like to see him do that if he wants.”
Both of his parents want him to continue growing up alongside his twin sister.
“I wanted them to grow old together,” said Bealhen-Gliszinski. “Her losing him is going to be the worst thing ever.”
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Right now, they’re keeping Daryl Bealhen comfortable and letting him enjoy life like any other 5-year-old. They’re praying for a miracle to keep him around to live a full life.
A benefit in Daryl Bealhen’s honor will be held Saturday, June 22, at the Festival Hall in Racine, Wis., to help cover medical costs. Doors open at noon.
