Gavin’s Story
When a Second Opinion Changes the Path
Gavin’s family was told there was nothing more that could be done. A fast connection to the right pediatric sarcoma expert helped create another path forward.
Second opinion
A family facing no further options found another path forward.
Specialist connection
CTR helped arrange pediatric sarcoma expertise at UCLA Health within four days.
Patient guidance
The family had support before, during, and after the appointment.
Gavin was only 10 years old when he began treatment for leukemia at a local hospital. During that treatment, his family learned that he was also facing a second cancer: stage 4 metastatic sarcoma with extensive disease.
Then his parents heard the words no family is prepared to hear: there was nothing more that could be done.
They were overwhelmed, frightened, and unsure where to turn. A friend connected Gavin’s mother, Sonya, with Cancer Teamwork Response.
That connection changed the direction of their journey.
CTR encouraged the Stockwell family not to give up and helped them pursue a second opinion with Dr. Noah Federman, a renowned pediatric sarcoma specialist at UCLA Health.
The consultation was arranged within four days.
Gavin and his family drove to UCLA the same day he was discharged from their local hospital. During that appointment, the family received something they had been told was no longer available: another path forward.
They made the decision to transfer Gavin’s care to UCLA.
More than a year later, his family described him as thriving.
A second opinion is not simply about hearing the same information from another doctor. It can provide access to a specialist who understands a rare or complex diagnosis, clarify whether other treatment approaches are available, and help a family make informed decisions when time matters.
For Gavin’s family, the challenge was not a lack of commitment or love. They needed help identifying the right expert, making the connection, and moving quickly through a healthcare system that can be difficult to navigate during a crisis.
CTR helped bring those pieces together.
CTR’s role did not end when the consultation was scheduled.
Candy helped the family understand what came next, connected them to the appropriate medical expertise, and remained beside them as they made difficult decisions about Gavin’s care.
This is what Patient Guidance looks like in action: helping a family move from fear and uncertainty toward greater clarity, stronger questions, and access to the expertise their situation requires.
Gavin’s story reflects the purpose of the CTR network.
Patients and families may begin their journey within one hospital or healthcare system, but the expertise they need may exist somewhere else. CTR helps identify those opportunities and connects families with trusted specialists and leading medical centers when another perspective may help clarify the path forward.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Noah Federman and the UCLA Health nursing and support teams for the expertise and care they provided to Gavin and his family.
When we work together to put the patient first, we all win.
“When I spoke with Candy, it felt like a weight had been lifted. That panic about what to do next was alleviated, and she encouraged us not to give up hope.”
“That second opinion was arranged for us within four days. It was an appointment that changed our lives.”
“Candy took us by the hand, made the connections to the experts, had the time to help when there was nowhere else to turn, and stuck with us every step of the way.”
Considering a Second Opinion?
You do not have to know which specialist to call or how to begin.
CTR helps patients and families understand when another perspective may be valuable, identify the appropriate expertise, prepare for the consultation, and move forward with greater confidence.