Born on a Sunday in May 2022, Jacob Emmett Steward quickly grew into a bright, joyful toddler whose spirit shone through every giggle and dance move. By 20 months old, Jacob’s world was full of wonder — jumping in puddles was his absolute favorite thing to do. He loved to explore, move, and learn. He was a little boy always on the go — so much so that everyone fondly called him Jacob, go, go, go!

But on February 10th, 2024, Jacob’s world — and his family’s — changed.

That morning, Jacob woke up unable to walk. He kept falling, his steps no longer steady. At first, the only symptom was ataxia, but just four days later, he began sleeping deeply and for unusually long periods. Then came the unimaginable: a diagnosis of ATRT, a rare and aggressive brain cancer, just days after his second birthday.

What followed was a whirlwind of procedures, fear, and courage. On February 16th, Jacob underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor. Then came the grueling treatment: five cycles of chemotherapy — two induction, three high-dose with stem cell rescue — and 28 sessions of radiation. He endured more than 10 MRIs, 6 lumbar punctures, and many rounds of anesthesia.