Addison Gould, 5, optic pathways glioma, Bourne, with mom,
Jillian, and brother, Colin (7)
? Addison was born with type 1 neurofibromatosis.
Neurofibromatosis is a set of complex disorders that affects almost every organ
system, causing tumors to grow on nerves in the brain and throughout the body.
Addison's pediatrician noticed that one of Addison's eyelids were drooping in a
routine checkup, so she had an MRI to investigate further. She was diagnosed with
cancerous Optic Pathways Gliomas in 2019 and in August 2020, scans revealed that
her gliomas and grown substantially, making her left eye protrude from its socket.
? Addison is blind in one eye. Her treatment has included chemotherapy as well as
several oral medications and will likely be in treatment for the rest of her life.
? Addison loves swimming in the pool, coloring and playing with Legos. She especially
loves playing in the playroom and in the music room at the Jimmy Fund Clinic.
Addison loves to 'help' her doctors and nurses during her visits and treatments, by
checking her stuffed animal vital signs that she brings with her to the Clinic.
? The Jimmy Fund Clinic feels like their extended family and they are incredibly grateful
for their support every step of the way.

Optic pathways glioma facts
? Slow-growing brain tumor that arises in or around the optic nerve, which connects
the eye to the brain.
? As the tumor progresses, it presses on the optic nerve, causing a child's vision to
worsen.
? Blindness can occur, but only in about 5% of cases.
? While these are serious tumors, they have a high cure rate and the survival rate for
optic pathway glioma is near 90%
? These tumors can affect the body's endocrine functions, such as hormone
production, salt and water balance, appetite, and sleep.
? More than 75% of these tumors occur during the first 10 years of life and most are
diagnosed in children age 5 or younger.
? Optic pathway tumors account for up to 5% of primary central nervous system
tumors in children.