Baby’s cancer fight rallies community

KIRTLAND, N.M. (KRQE) - Konner Dowdy’s curiosity is contagious. Crawling around and laughing little Konner looks and acts like a typical 7-month-old, but what you can’t see is the tumor inside his tiny stomach.

When he was just two months old his mom took him to the dermatologist for what she thought was a bad diaper rash.

“That’s when they did an ultrasound of his abdomen and they found a mass in there,” said Konner’s mom Erin.

After an MRI and biopsy Konner was diagnose with Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer found mostly in children.

According to the American Cancer Society only about 650 children are diagnosed with the cancer each year in the U.S.

Konner’s diagnosis came in April. His doctor’s wasted no time, operating immediately. They were able to remove one of the tumors on his spine but had to leave the one in his stomach in place.

“They tried to go in through his abdomen and that’s the main tumor, they were unable to get that out because its connected to nerve endings,” Erin said.

After surgery Konner began chemotherapy and after two rounds it appears to have worked.

“It shrunk his tumor 80 percent, so he is off chemo as of right now,” Erin said.

Konner goes in next week for tests to see if the tumor has grown since stopping chemo. The tests will also show whether or not the cancer has spread elsewhere.

The Dowdy’s say it’s been a roller coaster of emotions.

Konner’s dad Kyle had actually just returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq, when he met Konner for the first time, only to find out a few days later Konner had cancer.

“I was still just trying to get to know him which was kind of hard. Just kind of tough thinking about him not being there for too much longer,” Kyle said.

The Dowdy’s drive to UNM Hospital for Konner’s treatments, it’s the only place in the state that can treat him.

The financial burden of that commute is starting to weigh heavily on the family so Kyle’s co-workers at the Farmington Police Department are holding a fundraiser on Saturday for Konner.

“Its’ really heartwarming, you just don't realize how this can just bring a whole community together,” Erin said.

The benefit kicks off Saturday morning with a motorcycle ride and then a benefit dinner in the evening. The motorcycle ride is $20 and includes dinner and two raffle tickets. The dinner is $5 a person.

The event is being organized by the FOP and being held at the FOP Lodge at 6750 Pecos Street in Farmington.

For more information contact Pat Cordell at (505) 320-6735