A GoFundMe has been set up for a Stamford boy with a rare form of brain cancer.

Sam Lopez, of Stamford, traveled to Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital Wednesday to receive radiation treatment.

Wednesday was Lopez's 10th birthday, and he was receiving treatment for what his mother says is "a rare disease called high-grade glioma of the left basal ganglia and thalamus."

Navarro said the fourth grader at Stamford's Toquam Magnate Elementary School would be back in time for class today for a birthday party.

Lopez's mother, Idalia Navarro, says the diagnosis came back in December 2022 and that her son, who is usually full of life and happy, changed "in the blink of an eye" - losing partial mobility on his right side.

"You know, it's hard. We're taking it one day at a time. We believe in God and He has the last word and, you know, we're keeping strong for him," said Navarro.

During treatment Wednesday, the staff at the hospital surprised Lopez with gifts, cupcakes and a birthday celebration.

"He has his ups and downs, but at the same time we make sure that he's always active, fun, playing -- doing the things that he likes," said Navarro.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with travel expenses back and forth between Stamford and New Haven.

You can also see some of Lopez's artwork when his class holds an exhibit at the Stamford Government Center Friday from 5-7 p.m.