Manteca High’s annual Kicking for a Cure campaign will go towards helping Mason Ferrulli.

He’s the 16-year-old Ripon teen has continued the fight, having battled Ependymoma brain cancer (three times) and spine cancer (twice) during the past six years.

All proceeds from the Manteca High girls’ varsity soccer match against Lathrop High on Dec. 1 at Guss Schmiedt Field will go towards assisting Ferrulli and his family during these tough times.

Mason Ferrulli was first diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor (Type A Anaplastic Ependymoma).

In 2017, he underwent a 14-hour surgery at UCSF to have the tumor removed. That was followed by radiation treatment with him having to stay several months in the hospital.

He was then treated with a Gamma Knife surgery in 2018 to have another tumor removed. The following year, Ferrulli had to deal with the growth of yet another tumor – he underwent brain surgery later that year.

Tumors were found on Ferrulli’s spine and two more in his brain in those following months. His family relocated for several months as he received more treatments.

In 2021, it was determined that the radiation Ferrulli had been receiving caused severe swelling to his brain followed by a severe kidney infection that required more surgery.

This past May, an MRI showed that the cancer had returned to both his brain and spine. Ferrulli’s body could no longer accept radiation and the trial medication only resulted in a huge tumor growth to his spine.

Mason Ferrulli recently began Stem Cell Therapy treatment, which has been far less invasive than chemo and surgeries. With it comes a hefty price tag – about $15,000, not covered by insurance – coupled with six years of medical bills.

“We are looking for your help with this event so we can assist Mason and his family during this challenging time. Mason’s parents have missed many days of work to stay by his side, which has caused a financial strain on the family,” said the Manteca High Athletic Boosters in a recent letter seeking donor support.

The boosters will be setting up “Kicking for a Cure” banners at the home games along with hosting the Athletic Boosters Rib Dinner.

The Kicking for a Cure game is a chance to bring local awareness and hope to the fight against cancer while also supporting a local student in the community.

For more information or to make a donation, call 209.608.0652.