JEREMIAH'S STORY

Jeremiah L. Godfrey was diagnosed with brain cancer (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG) at the age of 5 in January of 2022. A rare brain tumor was discovered and located in an area (brain stem) where removal was not possible. At the time of diagnosis, the doctors estimated he only had 6 months to live. Jeremiah underwent a series of tests and procedures that included the insertion of a shunt into his brain to drain fluid build-up in addition to 30 radiation treatments. Jeremiah became confined to a wheelchair. Steroids were given as an aide to assist with his walking and other functions. After a while, his tumor decreased in size and he was able to walk again with assistance, but still faced challenges daily.

During the course of his treatment, Jeremiah turned 6 years old in May of 2022 and lived past the projected time frame given by the doctors. However, in October of 2022, unfortunately, the steroids were no longer helping his condition and doctors concluded that they had done all they were able to do and he was officially placed in hospice care. His father, Ron L. Godfrey prayed a difficult prayer and asked God that if it wasn’t His will to restore Jeremiah, please give him eternal rest.

With Jeremiah's mother, father, and the rest of his family by his bedside, he continued to fight until the very end. Jeremiah L. Godfrey passed on November 1, 2022, at the age of 6 years old, 10 months after his diagnosis.

Jeremiah is the son of multi-award-winning actor, Ron Godfrey and he shared his son and their journey with the world. His son's passing provided him with another purpose and passion, and that was to be proactive in helping to find a cure so that no other child and their parents would have to endure the same pain. Thus, the Jeremiah L. Godfrey Brain Cancer Research Foundation was born.