BRANDT'S STORY

Brandt Morgan is 15 years old from Jericho, NY. He's a beloved son, brother and friend to so many of us. Brandt loves football and basketball with a passion, and is a huge NY Giants and LA Lakers fan. Just like the position he plays in football, a quarterback, he is a natural leader both on and off the field in his community on Long Island. Brandt always makes us proud!

On November 19, 2020, a normal Thursday night, Brandt stepped out of the shower and noticed an unusual lump on his neck. The next morning after seeing his pediatrician, he was told he needed to see an oncologist as soon as possible. The next Monday, November 23rd he received a call from his doctors with the shocking news that he had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer in which the body produces too many white blood cells.

The following week Brandt was admitted to the hospital where both a biopsy and x-ray confirmed the cancer was located in his neck. That Friday a day after Thanksgiving, Brandt collapsed at home, vomiting extensively. An ambulance was called and he was taken to the emergency room where he spent the next 6 hours getting treatment. In just 5 days, the cancer had spread to his chest.

Brandt spent the following 19 days in the hospital where he began his cancer treatments. He continues to receive Chemotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs as part of a standardized regimen, that will continue for the remainder of the year. While chemo is a very effective treatment to rid the body of cancers such as Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, it has some tough side-effects that make the medicine difficult for patients. Unfortunately Brandt has had to face the many negative reactions on his body from his chemo treatments.

While Brandt has been struggling through round after round of chemotherapy, the good news is that this advanced medicine is working. Medical reports and tests have shown that his cancer is shrinking, and he is well on his path to recovery. It hasn't been easy, the chemo has taken its toll on his body. He is unable to attend school and see his friends.

Brandt's fight against cancer and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is far from over. But Brandt is a fighter and he will beat this disease and be back to his old self in no time. He's a true inspiration to all of us, and we love Brandt dearly.

Get well soon Brandt, you got this, no problem!

MESSAGE FROM THE MORGAN FOUNDATION

I met Brandt in kindergarten and we have been best friends and brothers ever since. Brandt has always been one of the most loyal, supportive and trustworthy friends. He is someone who always has your back and someone I have always admired. He’s a fighter and always has been. He and I love watching and playing sports together. On and off the field there is no better teammate.

A few months ago, Brandt texted me to see if I was available to Facetime like always. At the time I had no idea what he wanted to talk about. It was that night he broke the news to me that he had been diagnosed with cancer. At first, I was shocked and very confused. I had no idea what was going on or what was going to happen to my best friend. The next few days were very challenging for me. I kept thinking about Brandt and worrying about how he was feeling, if he would be ok and how he was dealing with all of this. I remember him texting me about how it isn’t fair, but I didn’t know what to say. I just knew that I felt awful for him. My friends and I talked and knew that we would be there for Brandt every step of the way. There is no question we were going to be by his side and do anything we could to support him and make him feel better.

When Brandt started chemotherapy, my friends and I decided to shave our heads with him so he wouldn’t feel alone. It was a day I’ll never forget. That day was only the start of our commitment to Brandt. This is where The Morgan Foundation came into place. My friend Nick and I came up with this amazing idea to raise money for people like Brandt fighting cancer. It’s mission will not only help Brandt but hopefully so many more! All money raised through our Foundation will benefit the Cohen’s Children's Hospital, where Brandt and many other people are receiving treatment every day. Any donation will be greatly appreciated to me and Brandt even more.

-Jackson Gingold (Co-Founder of The Morgan Foundation and best friend of Brandt Morgan)

I first met Brandt playing football for the Syosset Braves, we grew up playing on a bunch of sports teams together and our friendship started to develop. Middle school was around the time Brandt and I became best friends. Skipping forward a few years, freshman year of high school had started and it was great, I was in a bunch of classes with Brandt and he started to become a brother to me. The start of 10th grade was a little rocky due to the pandemic but aside from that it was going good. Around late November Brandt had told us he wasn’t feeling the greatest, he went to get some tests done and at first we didn’t think much of it. However, after a couple of days Brandt told us he was diagnosed with cancer, specifically Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This news was completely devastating for me, the rest of our friends and families, and anyone who knew Brandt. After hearing this it changed how I look at life because I had realized that terrible things can happen to anyone at any time. To see this happen to a best friend of mine goes to show how important it is to cherish and value relationships with the people closest to you. Up to this point Brandt has been an absolute warrior and is killing this cancer, I know for a fact he’s going to beat it and we’ll all be at his side when he does.

-Nick Polizotto (Co-Founder of The Morgan Foundation and best friend of Brandt Morgan)

PLEASE HELP US HONOR AND SUPPORT BRANDT IN HIS FIGHT AGAINST NHL