08/30/2026
"Grant Is An Absolute Champ"
Grant Bross, a Springboro 7th-grader was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. He has endured hours of surgery, chemo, hospitalization, and much more.
The very shortened version is below, mostly in the words of Grant's Mom Mandi.
Six weeks ago, Grant and I went to the emergency room because of his headaches and blurry vision. And in the first few hours, my thoughts were along the lines of, “let’s get this show on the road so I can get home and pack for Disney”.
As the evening progressed, I started praying that the “migraine cocktail” would work and we could still take our trip, even though it was clear it would be delayed by a day or two.
As we rode in the ambulance to the ICU, my prayer changed to, “God, please don’t let this be cancer and let it be a minor issue so he can play football this season”.
Then, three days later, my prayers changed to, “God, I don’t understand why my boy has cancer, but help us handle this with grace and strength and to put our full trust in You, even though we can’t begin to comprehend this.”
After eight nights in the PICU, three MRIs, two CT scans, countless blood draws, a cancer diagnosis, brain surgery, and a chemo port installation…Grant was able to temporarily come home.
Four weeks ago, Grant was able to go to school, attend some football practices and a scrimmage, and go to the varsity game on Friday night.
It was so uplifting to see all the GrantStrong shirts, and was especially touching to see the Mason High School football coaching staff in the shirts when Boro and Mason played on Friday night.
Thank you, Coach Castner and coaches! Grant’s 7th grade team wore theirs to school that Friday as well, and that really helped Grant feel the love and support.
Anyone who knows Grant knows that sports are a driving force in his life, and his determination to get back to doing what he loves on the field is a huge motivator to beat cancer.
Also in late July, he got a huge boost from a phone call with Luke Kennard (thanks, Coach Bales, for setting this up!) and an encouraging note from Marcus Judd, aka Juddy the Kid, with some really cool swag from the Glow Mojis.
Thanks to Josh Glascock for sharing Grant’s story with Marcus. So thoughtful, kind, and uplifting - thank you so much to both these athletes!
In early August, chemotherapy cycle 1, days 1 and 2, were completed. Monday was two and a half hours of two different medications followed by an hour and a half infusion of one medication. The infusions were completed the next day (outpatient) and then after a shot on Thursday...Round 1 was officially over.
"I’ve watched a 13-year-old boy tackle every bit of bad news, countless blood draws, surgeries, steroids, overnights in the ICU, chemotherapy, you name it. All without complaint and with a focus and determination many adults would not be able to muster."
The Latest:
Each day this week, Monday - Friday, Grant received two hour-long infusions of two different chemo meds. This was followed by constant fluids and an 18-hour drip of a medicine that protects his kidneys and bladder.
BUT...Grant is 100% done with chemo for round 2 and one third complete for all rounds. He had a shot today, and now he is home!
He’s had some nausea in the mornings but the anti-nausea meds are working well to curb it. His port is sore but he rarely complains.
Grant is also managing to mostly keep up with his schoolwork. A few days ago, his buddy Sam visited and they went outside and played some horseshoes before chemo started. That was a spirit-lifter.
Note: One incredible moment was when 50+ boys and men all shaved their heads with Grant at 48 Salon. (See photos)
The Birdies for Bross Charity Golf Outing is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at 10:00 AM EDT at Beckett Ridge Country Club located at 5595 Beckett Ridge Blvd, West Chester. All proceeds will go to Dayton Children's Hospital.
Activities: Includes a full day of golf alongside raffles, a silent auction, a bourbon raffle, and on-course games. The outing is a great way to support Grant. See photos below.
A Final Thought..."God gives us what we need, when we need it; He doesn’t give us a lot of extra to stash away.
But gosh, as I sit here and watch my boy sleep, I literally feel torn in two. To feel powerless as a parent while watching your child suffer…no words can capture that."
