by Kristen Kucharski, Photos by Mike Catuara
FAMILY OF BATAVIA HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR SHARES, "WE WANT TO MAKE AS MANY MEMORIES AS POSSIBLE...."
BATAVIA– Many residents are planning the different ways that they will give back this holiday season– from donating to Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army, to volunteering their time at Feed My Starving Children or the Giving Tree at their local library. Whatever your charitable plans may be, we are hopeful that you will also consider adding a local family in need to your list. The City of Batavia jump started the season by making a Proclamation that November 7th be named Brice Worley Day!
A reader, and close friend of the family, contacted us with a special request – that we share this family's story in hopes that members of the community will consider donating to them this holiday season as they fight the unimaginable alongside their 16-year-old son, Brice Worley, a junior at Batavia High School, who has been fighting an inoperable brain tumor.
Three years ago, the tumor was found, and with treatments, they were able to shrink it and keep it at bay...until a month ago. Unfortunately, new growth was found deep inside the old tumor, and it's at the brain stem. His treatment options are minimal, although even with no guarantees, he is hopeful a new chemotherapy drug will be the answer to their prayers.
Throughout this journey, the community has come together placing green ribbons on trees throughout Batavia and beyond to represent Brice’s favorite color and to remind him he is not alone. Brice is so positive about life and is extremely close to his brothers, Hayden (17) and Lieland (15) and his sister Maisy Starr (21-senior at Columbia College).
Brice is an old soul at heart and lives to magnet fish at the local rivers and use his metal detector everywhere and anywhere possible searching for hidden treasures. He loves to be outside riding his electric bike that was given to him by Cal’s Angels.
He is not afraid to die.
“He’s only afraid of losing us, George and I,” says his mom, Tami. “He told George last month that he is not dying, he’s transitioning! God sent him to us! He’s teaching us all so much. I pray he’s able to continue to handle the chemo meds with little to no side effects for as long as possible.”
Brice’s hopes are to stay symptom free, to attend trade school his senior year, complete EMT training, and get a job. He also shared the following bucket list which includes his ultimate dream of a family vacation to Hawaii, metal detecting on the beaches of Hawaii and Florida, as well as on the trails of the Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon.
“He was expected to live only 18 months,” Tami says. “He beat all of those odds and is our walking miracle! Honestly, we just want as much time together and to make as many memories as possible.”
Although a vacation to Hawaii with their large, blended family would be absolutely amazing, their medical bills have become overwhelming, along with the much-needed modifications to their old historic home that was built in 1856, and the need for a wheelchair accessible van.
Every day the family gets up to LIVE! They appreciate every moment and live each day to its fullest.
DONATE this holiday season toward one of Brice’s bucket list items, home modifications, an accessible van, or medical bills! All contributions are so appreciated!
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