Will Mumford was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma, a rare brain tumor, at age 14. These tumors can be treated with surgery, radiation, cyst drainage, or intra-cystic injections. When Will first experienced symptoms such as headaches and changes in his vision, he was not sure what he was facing.
Like most brain tumors, craniopharyngiomas can cause obstructive hydrocephalus and subsequent symptoms of that – nausea, vomiting and worsened head pain. Statistically, about 35% of these tumors recur. The side effects of these tumors are significant and include cognitive issues, visual disturbances, endocrine abnormalities, decreased height, and obesity, to name a few.
Will was initially treated with surgery at Johns Hopkins, where a 4 cm tumor was removed. Three months after surgery, an MRI showed that his tumor was regrowing. His surgeon, Eric M. Jackson, M.D., referred Will for proton radiation treatment at the Maryland Proton Treatment Center (MPTC) under the direction of Young Kwok, M.D. While surgery is life-saving, it is not without side effects. Today, Will faces ongoing visual disturbances, endocrine abnormalities, fatigue, and obesity. He returns to the MPTC for scans every six months.
During the pandemic, Will graduated from Severna Park High School and is currently attending Anne Arundel Community College. Will plans to participate in AACC’s Entrepreneurial Studies Institute, take art classes in pottery and sculpture, and continue to increase his proficiency in Spanish.
Despite his diagnosis and extensive side effects, Will has lived life to the fullest as a teenager. During high school, Will participated in the Maryland History Club, the Unified Bowling team, and Tech Crew for high school productions. As a Sophomore, Will was selected to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY). Will has also won a handful of ribbons for his pottery in the county fair and belongs to a church youth group where he led a small group.
During the pandemic, he remained active in various Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation online groups. He was invited to join a leadership group to learn how to mentor younger brain tumor survivors and patients.
In 2022, Make-A-Wish fulfilled an uncommon wish from Will. He asked to make an mosaic art installation to be shared in a community space. The Washington Capitals took him up on it and held an unveiling of his work at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex lobby- Watch Facebook Video
Will and his family joined us for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Gala and in July 2022 and 2023, threw out the first pitch for a Bowie Baysox game on Heroes Day, along with CCF.
