Supporting the Keanaaina Family- Travis, Shayna & Boys

On July 17, 2026, the lives of Travis, Shayna, and their family were changed in an instant. What began as severe back pain and numbness sent Travis to the emergency department. A CT scan revealed a mass on Travis' spinal cord. After three long days waiting for a bed to become available at the University of Minnesota, he was transferred for specialized care. On July 21, he underwent surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The neurosurgical team was able to remove part of it, but because the tumor was wrapped around critical nerves, removing it completely could have caused devastating damage. Trav was able to come home a few days later, but with several postoperative complications. Then came the news no family is ever prepared to hear. Travis was diagnosed with Grade 4 Diffuse Midline Glioma - an extremely rare and aggressive cancer of the spinal cord. The diagnosis accounts for less than 1% of cancers and is most often seen in children, making it extraordinarily uncommon in adults. In a matter of days, their lives became filled with fear and uncertainty, but also an unwavering commitment to the fight. While the prognosis is heartbreaking, Travis and Shayna are choosing hope and focusing on the plan ahead. In the coming weeks, Trav will begin radiation therapy. Following that, his medical team will evaluate additional treatment options, including chemotherapy, clinical trials, and any other promising therapies. They are both committed to fighting this disease with everything they've got - one appointment, one treatment, one day at a time.