Gunnar Patterson at six years old, was being a typical boy climbing a tree and fell. After an uncomfortable night and still complaining of pain in his side, he was brought to the ER, in Lake Charles, LA. Doctors discovered an 11 cm Wilm’s Tumor. He was transported to Texas Children’s Hospital. On 9/23/11 Gunnar underwent surgery to remove his left kidney and tumor. Gunnar has undergone radiation and currently receiving chemotherapy treatment. He and his mom travel between Lake Charles and Houston weekly for him to receive his treatment; as well as, other routine testing. Gunnar is already a fighter. He was born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). As an infant, his parents were told that he also had a heart murmur. The doctors were optimistic. At 12 months, Gunnar contracted Meningitis. This caused severe damage to his already defective heart. Before the age of two, Gunnar had undergone 3 open-heart surgeries. His recovery has been awesome and his heart is doing GREAT, but he still has to make routine visits to his cardiologist. For the past five years Gunnar has been very active in raising money for the American Heart Association - Heart Walk. He is now looking forward to becoming a part of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and family. There is more to Gunnar than just being a statistic and soon survivor. He is now 7 and is a loving big brother to sister Remmi. He loves Drew Brees and the Saints. Hunting, riding his bike, and playing with friends are some of his favorite past-times. Toast, rice and gravy, gumbo, and milk shakes are what keep him growing these days. And we can’t fail to mention his favorite color is green. But the quality that shines through the most is that he is a fighter! Gunnar inspires everyone he comes in contact with his contagious smile and beautiful fighting spirit, everyday.