Samuel's Story

Monday, June 13, 2022.

We got the call that Samuel, Anna's brother and Benjamin's future brother in law, had been in a car accident.

He was unconscious for a while after the accident and was airlifted to Memorial Health University in Savannah.

They were worried he had brain bleed, but they did a scan and discovered he didn't. He had a mass at the stem of his brain. 

It was a large malignant tumor in the center of the brain stem that was blocking the fluid that was supposed to pass through. They also discovered a smaller tumor on the center of his brain that they aren't able to remove with surgery.

On June 23, Samuel had been in the hospital for 10 days. This was surgery day. After a 15 hour surgery, the doctor estimated that he had removed approximately 60% of the large tumor on the brain stem. He believes it was enough to let the fluid flow properly.

He was diagnosed with having a rare disease called Medulloblastoma.

After surgery, none of us were prepared for what we would see. We didn't expect him to be in the shape he was in. We didn't expect him to be in the hospital for 32 days. 

He was finally released from the hospital on day 32 and he still has a long way to go, but he is improving. He is able to walk with help, he can do more things for himself. He is able to communicate more now.

He has a little break before they start a year of chemo and radiation. He has a long road ahead.

His health insurance won't cover the first months stay at the hospital. It won't cover the helicopter ride, the ambulance ride, or the surgery.

There have been many generous people that have helped along the way. 

To help with the cost of that first month, Earth Works Coffee is going to donate 100% of the profit from any purchase of "The Brave" (the bag that features Samuel Vangiller).

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support for Samuel!

See Samuel's Story as told by his mom here

You can also donate to a GoFundMe for Samuel here