Camden 2025

Camden has always been a unique little boy. Even as an infant he was quick to connect with new people and came to be known as the “family extrovert.” He also taught himself to read at a very young age and quickly found a passion for writing his own creative stories. He loves spending time with his supportive older sister and his pets.

After having his symptoms of excessive thirst and weight loss dismissed as “anxiety” by an endocrinologist at another hospital, Camden, then six years old, came to Seattle Children’s, where doctors immediately took his parents’ concerns about his health seriously and ordered extensive testing. 

An inpatient “water deprivation test” and brain MRI found a tumor pushing on Camden’s pituitary gland and limiting production of the hormone that controls fluid intake and hydration. Multiple teams worked together to find the safest way to determine the type of tumor Camden had. Its location ultimately made it too risky to biopsy and it did not initially produce any “markers” in Camden’s blood or spinal fluid. Thanks to a special test developed by Seattle Children’s, doctors were able to determine that Camden’s tumor was malignant and, eventually, that it was an extremely rare germ cell tumor called a germinoma. Germ cell tumors make up only 2-3% of pediatric central nervous system tumors.

Once he had a firm diagnosis, Camden completed four rounds of chemotherapy (starting in December 2024) at Seattle Children’s and then twenty sessions of proton radiation at Fred Hutch. Even on hard days, Camden stayed true to himself and made meaningful and lasting connections with his care team. He also started painting during this time and has given many paintings away to people who have helped him on his journey. His bravery and positivity have impacted so many people and his role as an ambassador for the Friends For Life Guild brings all of those things together so nicely.

The complexity of Camden’s tumor placement and treatment will continue to bring challenges in the future, but with the help of Seattle Children’s he has not just survived but is going to thrive. Like Friends for Life, Camden and his family are dedicated to supporting Seattle Children’s research efforts and increasing access to the amazing care that comes with it. Camden lives in Tacoma with his parents, Brianne and Chris, and his sister, Mirabelle.