Texas Children's Developmental Therapeutics program helps young boy

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- With the largest medical center in the world in our back yard, it's no surprise that parents from all over come to Houston to seek medical treatments for their kids. The Sanchez family from Colorado did just that. They started coming here about a year ago for a trial study, after running out of options for their son back home.

10-year-old Peyton has had a remarkable journey getting to where he is today.

His father, Charlie Sanchez told us "at 6 months they diagnosed Peyton with Neurofibromatosis."

It's a condition known to cause tumors to form in the brain. By age 4, tumors on Peyton's optic nerves affected his vision and unfortunately his eyesight deteriorated. Then things took a turn for the worst last year.

"About a year ago, there were more complications. We weren't sure what was happening" Sanchez said.

Peyton had difficulty breathing one night and was rushed to the E.R. An MRI revealed a tumor had formed on his brainstem. With no surgical options, Charlie received the news no parent wants to hear.

"Take him home and enjoy the time you have left with him" Sanchez said.

Holding onto hope, they began researching clinical trials across the U.S and found one at Texas Children's in their Developmental Therapeutics Program.

Dr. Jodi Muscal is a physician at Texas Children's Cancer Center. She told us "we have a wide variety of new drug therapies available to patients and Peyton is enrolled on one of the trials that we have."

In the trial, patients are closely monitored for any side effects as well.

"This trial is designed for patients to continue on the trial up to two years if the disease remains at least stable" Dr. Muscal explained.

A year after being in the trial, Peyton's condition improved.

Sanchez said "I really could ask for no more than what we've gotten because it's changed his life. I don't know how long the longevity's going to be because this is a trial but, oh my gosh it's a night and day difference."

This weekend, Peyton is holding a lemonade stand fundraiser. The money collected will go toward the Ronald McDonald House. That where's he's been staying every 28-days when he comes to Houston for treatments.