By SYDNEY KENT
Four-year-old Kane Kinsey is a wild soul to the core — a bright and shining star who gave his family hope when he was born at the height of a pandemic. Despite his ongoing battle with terminal cancer, Kane continues to radiate love.
“Kane loves his family,” said mom Brittany Danels, who lives in Bluffton. “He loves everyone so fiercely.”
Through a series of voice-to-text messages, holding her sleeping son in her arms, Danels described Kane’s life and diagnosis with cancer.
As a baby, Kane never slept well, always seeming uncomfortable lying on his back. At first, Danels thought the issue was related to gas from a tongue and lip tie issue. However, Kane’s discomfort continued after the tie was fixed.
Danels first noticed a bump on Kane’s tailbone when he was around one year old. She requested it be looked at multiple times. By his 18-month checkup, however, the bump had grown to the size of a marble.
Through a series of tests at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Kane was diagnosed with Rhabdoid Sarcoma.
“They were really wonderful,” Danels said. “They brought Cincinnati Children’s Hospital into the mix because they are the number one hospital in the country for malignant rhabdoid tumors.”
After three rounds of chemotherapy, Danels said Kane failed to respond to treatment, prompting the need for high-risk surgery. The surgery was successful and followed by 30 rounds of radiation. In January 2023, Kane’s scans were clean.
“For nine months, we lived,” Danels said. “We enjoyed it so much. We went to the zoo and Sky Zone, visited family, car shows, et cetera. We really lived. Last summer was the best summer ever.”
On Nov. 29, Danels said their lives stopped.
Follow-up biopsies revealed more nodules than could be seen, and after a third attempt at immunotherapy, a new lump was located. Another scan confirmed their worst fears: Kane’s cancer was progressing.
Kane went through an additional nine rounds of radiation in Cincinnati that Christmas and New Year’s.
“It was not an effort to get rid of the cancer at that point,” Danels explained. “We were beyond that. Because of the cancer growing through his rib cage, it was inoperable. After the radiation, we came home and began hospice. We wanted him to be familiar and comfortable with everybody to make his transition into the end of life much easier.”
Danels said throughout Kane’s diagnosis, their family has received an outpour of love and admiration. They’ve experienced a wrestling benefit in Marion, WWE tickets in Fort Wayne, and a friend of the family has dressed up as Blippi, a children’s character online— all in hopes of making Kane smile.
“When Kane sees me get emotional, he will tell me he wants me to be happy,” Danels said. “He says that to all of us when we get upset. Genuinely, he does not want us to be sad. I don’t think he completely knows what is happening because trying to explain that to a four-year-old feels impossible. If I had to quote him, it would be this — ‘Don’t be sad. Be happy.’”
Danels has documented Kane’s journey for many months, however, his story recently received an overwhelming response online as the community learned of his diagnosis. A post describing a drive-through event in Kane’s neighborhood was shared hundreds of times.
Danels explained that Kane enjoys playing and being outside and is a “trickster” by nature. He loves trains, planes and automobiles, and can point out a zero-turn lawn mower at only four years old. His love of all vehicle-related things led to the idea for the event.
The drive-through event is slated for July 6, however, Danels said the meeting point is yet to be determined.
“We know that he will eventually succumb to cancer,” Danels wrote in an update on GoFundMe. “But in our minds, he hasn’t lost. Not only has he fought, but he has been an amazing source for doctors to see what works and what doesn’t … We are doing the best we can with what we can. Our hearts are heavy, and they hurt. Thank you so much for all the love and support.”
The Tru Kingz Motorcycle Club is hosting a bike and car show, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting Kane’s family. The show will take place from 12-6 p.m. on Aug. 10 at 5731 Saint Joe Rd. in Fort Wayne. The group is also selling shirts for the drive-through event on July 6. Those interested in purchasing a “Kruisin’ for Kane” T-shirt may text 260-609-2842 for details.
A benefit ride for Kane is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Aug. 12 at Hopebridge 2513 W 2nd St. in Marion. All riders and vehicles are welcome; all proceeds benefit Kane’s family. Interested parties may text Cortney Trexler at 765-603-7287
Kane’s GoFundMe can be found at gofund.me/30ded893. Those interested in helping with food can participate in the meal train for Kane and his family at mealtrain.com/9qwzkk.
sydney@news-banner.com
