WSB Care-a-Thon 2023: Meet The Kids

Image 0 of 9

Carter Woodall The whole world changed September 13th 2022. That day he started acting strange (a drunk 5 year old best describes it). His parents took him to urgent care and were immediately sent to CHOA. They discovered brain inflammation and admitted him. Carter was discharged a week later with a diagnosis of possible viral encephalopathy and he was given a month of steroids. The steroids didn’t resolve his symptoms so he was readmitted on October 29th, then the word “possible brain tumor” was introduced into conversations. The family met Dr. McThenia & Dr. Mazewski. They ordered a biopsy of the highest inflammation on his thalamus and the cells came back abnormal. Carter was diagnosed with a grade II Glioma. He immediately had surgery and had a port installed, then started chemo about a week later. He was readmitted in January because he had hydrocephalus (excessive fluid & pressure in the brain). They did an emergency surgery and Dr. Brahma installed a shunt to drain the pressure. At the same time, the Precision Medicine testing came back and revealed it was a grade IV Glioma, much more aggressive than originally thought. They stopped the chemo and immediately started 30 treatments of radiation. For 7 weeks the family drove down to Emory every single morning, leaving the house at 6am. Carter is now stable and his latest MRI showed shrinkage. The shunt did its job and his cranial pressure is gone. His symptoms have much improved and he went back to school 3 days a week. He’s been given a new drug regiment and thanks to Precision Medicine, they are giving him an inhibitor drug that targets his specific mutation.

Carter Woodall The whole world changed September 13th 2022. That day he started acting strange (a drunk 5 year old best describes it). His parents took him to urgent care and were immediately sent to CHOA. They discovered brain inflammation and admitted him. Carter was discharged a week later with a diagnosis of possible viral encephalopathy and he was given a month of steroids. The steroids didn’t resolve his symptoms so he was readmitted on October 29th, then the word “possible brain tumor” was introduced into conversations. The family met Dr. McThenia & Dr. Mazewski. They ordered a biopsy of the highest inflammation on his thalamus and the cells came back abnormal. Carter was diagnosed with a grade II Glioma. He immediately had surgery and had a port installed, then started chemo about a week later. He was readmitted in January because he had hydrocephalus (excessive fluid & pressure in the brain). They did an emergency surgery and Dr. Brahma installed a shunt to drain the pressure. At the same time, the Precision Medicine testing came back and revealed it was a grade IV Glioma, much more aggressive than originally thought. They stopped the chemo and immediately started 30 treatments of radiation. For 7 weeks the family drove down to Emory every single morning, leaving the house at 6am. Carter is now stable and his latest MRI showed shrinkage. The shunt did its job and his cranial pressure is gone. His symptoms have much improved and he went back to school 3 days a week. He’s been given a new drug regiment and thanks to Precision Medicine, they are giving him an inhibitor drug that targets his specific mutation.

Rustin Makhmalbaf The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center holds a special place in my heart. It is where I spent many days receiving chemotherapy. Aflac did a wonderful job to create an extremely positive and friendly environment. The doctors, nurses, and the rest of the staff were also so kind, supportive, and responsive. I always felt at ease while receiving treatment and if I ever was in any sort of pain or discomfort, the care team would be sure to make me feel better. I owe a lot to Aflac and CHOA.

Rustin Makhmalbaf The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center holds a special place in my heart. It is where I spent many days receiving chemotherapy. Aflac did a wonderful job to create an extremely positive and friendly environment. The doctors, nurses, and the rest of the staff were also so kind, supportive, and responsive. I always felt at ease while receiving treatment and if I ever was in any sort of pain or discomfort, the care team would be sure to make me feel better. I owe a lot to Aflac and CHOA.

Haley Stansell Hi, I'm Hailey I had brain surgery to remove a tumor that was taking up half of the left side of my brain. The whole tumor couldn't be removed because if it was I could’ve been paralyzed. February 7th, 2023 is a day I will never forget. I received the heartbreaking news that the “benign tumor” that was removed was cancerous. I was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. I started my journey with Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (Egleston Hospital) two days after my diagnosis. The nurses and doctors changed my perspective on how I look at cancer and the powerful kids and adults fighting this battle. I couldn’t be more grateful that I have an amazing team here at CHOA. Everyone knows about cancer and cancer patients but honestly you never really understand until you are a patient, which is why I started expressing my feelings in art. When I'm not able to verbalize my emotions, I tend to put them into different aspects of art such as music, painting, drawing, photography, and sculpturing. For me, art is an outlet.

Haley Stansell Hi, I'm Hailey I had brain surgery to remove a tumor that was taking up half of the left side of my brain. The whole tumor couldn't be removed because if it was I could’ve been paralyzed. February 7th, 2023 is a day I will never forget. I received the heartbreaking news that the “benign tumor” that was removed was cancerous. I was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. I started my journey with Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (Egleston Hospital) two days after my diagnosis. The nurses and doctors changed my perspective on how I look at cancer and the powerful kids and adults fighting this battle. I couldn’t be more grateful that I have an amazing team here at CHOA. Everyone knows about cancer and cancer patients but honestly you never really understand until you are a patient, which is why I started expressing my feelings in art. When I'm not able to verbalize my emotions, I tend to put them into different aspects of art such as music, painting, drawing, photography, and sculpturing. For me, art is an outlet.

Logan Knight Logan had been experiencing intermittent headaches and intermittent nausea starting in October 2022 and was diagnosed in November 2022 with Medulloblastoma. His whole life changed the day the tumor was discovered on the CTSCAN at his local ER and he was sent to CHOA Scottish Rite. Four days after the tumor was discovered, he had brain surgery. He spent a month in the hospital. Four days after he was discharged from the hospital, he began his 30 days of proton treatment plus he had chemotherapy once a week for 6 weeks. He graduated from Proton Therapy the first week of February and completed his 6 weeks of chemotherapy at the end of January. The last week of February he had a ventricular tachycardia event. His local ER had to shock his heart and once stable he was sent to CHOA Egleston. Now Oncology and Cardiology work together to keep him safe while he completes his 6 cycles of chemotherapies that started in March and cycle every 28 days. Each cycle requires hospitalizations, so he spends a lot of time in CHOA at Scottish Rite. Logan is a true Medullo Warrior. He struggles daily with nausea and intermittent vomiting, but his disposition is positive and upbeat.

Logan Knight Logan had been experiencing intermittent headaches and intermittent nausea starting in October 2022 and was diagnosed in November 2022 with Medulloblastoma. His whole life changed the day the tumor was discovered on the CTSCAN at his local ER and he was sent to CHOA Scottish Rite. Four days after the tumor was discovered, he had brain surgery. He spent a month in the hospital. Four days after he was discharged from the hospital, he began his 30 days of proton treatment plus he had chemotherapy once a week for 6 weeks. He graduated from Proton Therapy the first week of February and completed his 6 weeks of chemotherapy at the end of January. The last week of February he had a ventricular tachycardia event. His local ER had to shock his heart and once stable he was sent to CHOA Egleston. Now Oncology and Cardiology work together to keep him safe while he completes his 6 cycles of chemotherapies that started in March and cycle every 28 days. Each cycle requires hospitalizations, so he spends a lot of time in CHOA at Scottish Rite. Logan is a true Medullo Warrior. He struggles daily with nausea and intermittent vomiting, but his disposition is positive and upbeat.

June 16, 2023 at 1:20 pm EDT

Latest Photo Galleries

PHOTOS: Amy Grant & Vince Gill Christmas At The Ryman Concert

PHOTOS: Amy Grant & Vince Gill Christmas At The Ryman Concert

December 12, 2025 at 12:00 am EST

Photos: 'Stranger Things'-Themed Christmas Market In Berlin

Photos: 'Stranger Things'-Themed Christmas Market In Berlin

December 11, 2025 at 2:30 pm EST

PHOTOS: Premiere Of Amazon Prime Video's "Fallout" Season 2 - Arrivals

PHOTOS: Premiere Of Amazon Prime Video's "Fallout" Season 2 - Arrivals

December 11, 2025 at 1:58 pm EST

PHOTOS: Your Christmas Cards

PHOTOS: Your Christmas Cards

December 09, 2025 at 4:23 pm EST

PHOTOS: Maddie & Tae Through The Years

PHOTOS: Maddie & Tae Through The Years

December 08, 2025 at 12:35 pm EST

Photos: 43 years of Nicki Minaj

Photos: 43 years of Nicki Minaj

December 08, 2025 at 8:50 am EST

Photos: FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw - Red Carpet Arrivals

Photos: FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw - Red Carpet Arrivals

December 05, 2025 at 12:10 pm EST

Photos: Members Of The Royal Family Attend The 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service

Photos: Members Of The Royal Family Attend The 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service

December 05, 2025 at 12:05 pm EST

PHOTOS: 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

PHOTOS: 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 05, 2025 at 11:28 am EST

PHOTOS: Opry NextStage Live Concert

PHOTOS: Opry NextStage Live Concert

December 05, 2025 at 11:07 am EST

news

weather

traffic

Georgia Bulldogs Coverage

Full 2026 Georgia football schedule announced as Bulldogs visit Alabama, host Oklahoma

Full 2026 Georgia football schedule announced as Bulldogs visit Alabama, host Oklahoma

How last year’s College Football Playoff gives Gunner Stockton a leg up this time around

How last year’s College Football Playoff gives Gunner Stockton a leg up this time around

The overlooked reason Georgia is peaking entering the College Football Playoff

The overlooked reason Georgia is peaking entering the College Football Playoff

Download the 95.5 WSB app

mobile apps

Everything you love about wsbradio.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

Base64 encoded image

Base64 encoded image

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!