7-Year-Old Rian Battles Rare Cancer with Support from Family and a Lemonade Stand

A rare and aggressive cancer diagnosis has turned life upside down for 7-year-old Rian and her grandfather, Pat Telgo, who is raising her along with three other children in Missouri. Doctors diagnosed Rian with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that left a tumor growing near the back of her ear.

“She had really bad headaches... she couldn’t even have anyone talk in the room,” Telgo recalled. “Even just a whisper—she would say, ‘don’t talk.’”

Rian's older sister, Rowan McCormick, says the family has faced the challenge without their mother, relying solely on their grandfather. “My grandpa’s like the only parent figure she has right now,” she said.

Despite the emotional toll, the family has chosen hope—and action. To help cover the growing medical bills and travel expenses to appointments, Rian and her family started a lemonade stand fundraiser.

“We need to raise some money,” Telgo explained. “Being out of work… and to help her, all the expenses.”

Though Rian’s condition can vary by the day, her spirit remains. “Some days it doesn’t look like she’s going to make it through the night… but then she’s back, happy and cheerful,” Telgo shared.

Doctors have confirmed the tumor has vanished, but cancer cells remain, meaning her fight is far from over.

In addition to financial help, Telgo says what they need most is something money can’t buy: prayers.

“A lot of prayers,” he said, “more than anything, the prayers.”

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Credit: CNN Newsource