Pandas Are A Salem Boy's Last Wish

Dae Hon passed away May 1st, 2008 at 10:00 AM.

Dae Hon Gonzales with his panda. Photo: Cheryl Reynolds

(SALEM, Ore.) - (Editor's note: Dae Hon passed away May 1st, 2008 at 10:00 AM.)

Cheryl Reynolds’ grandson, 10-year old Dae Hon Gonzales, was given 2 weeks to 2 months to live on March 5th, 2008. Dae Hon, of Salem, Oregon, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrisic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) at the age of 9 1/2 years old.

Because this type of tumor is difficult to treat, the outcome for brainstem gliomas is poor. After diagnosis, the survival time is on average 9 to 12 months. Dae Hon was diagnosed almost one year ago, on July 23rd, 2007.

“He has been such a strong, brave boy thru everything he has had to and is enduring,” says grandmother Cheryl Reynolds. “He has gone thru radiation, chemo, and steroids to alleviate his symptoms, along with many other medications he is on now. I cannot take away his tumor, but I will try to do anything in my power to make his last days happy.”

Cheryl Reynolds is trying to fulfill young Dae Hon’s last wish.

“Dae Hon so loves panda bears, but he is too weak to travel, so he is unable to go anywhere. What I am praying & hoping for is to someway, somehow get a live panda bear to Salem, for his last wish. It would mean the world to him. I know that what I am asking for is a lot, but I want to see him smile again. I love him with all my heart.”

She said, “One of Dae Hons Hospice nurses, Lelene, had a friend make Dae Hon a Panda costume. She took it to him yesterday. He was too weak to try it on, but he was so thrilled, all he could do was grin. Wouldn’t it be great if he could see a real panda somehow?”

DIPG is a malignant tumor located in the brainstem, usually diagnosed in children aged 5 to 10. They are difficult to treat because the tumor cells grow in between and around normal cells. It is impossible to remove a tumor in this area because it interferes with the functioning of this critical area of the brain, so surgery is not possible.

Standard treatment for this type of tumor includes radiation therapy, which are high-energy X-rays, gamma rays, or electrons that destroy tumor cells. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is still uncertain, but is also included in the standard treatment. Steroids, another type of drug, helps improve some of the symptoms.

Dae Hon has experienced all these things in his journey, and now all he needs is a panda.

The most important focus of treatment is on managing symptoms to make sure the child is as comfortable as possible.

As of April 24th, 2008, Dae Han can no longer talk or walk. He has a wheel chair that his mom gets him around in. He is starting to choke on some foods and even his water. He has a very hard time chewing, and now eats like a little bird. He is very weak and can no longer attend the school that he loves so much.

If Salem-News.com viewers have any ideas on how to bring a panda to Dae Hon, please contact us: newsroom@salem-news.com.

“I have met so many people that just open their hearts to us. The only thing good that has come out of all of this is my faith in God, although I have questioned him a lot through this, been mad at him and angry. I now know that there are so many more good, wonderful people in this world than I thought, it has renewed my faith in mankind.”

His grandmother’s faith endures.

“I am still waiting on that miracle. I do believe.”

To help the family of Dae Hon, donations can be deposited at:

US Bank
Dae Hon Giovanni Gonzales
James Reynolds
# 153752867330

Below is the link to Dae Hons CaringBridge site that is updated almost everyday: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dae_hon_gonzales