Tate Akin was a normal little boy who loved being outside and playing.
His parents, Nathan and Jackylin Akin, bought him and his brother a four-wheeler for Christmas in 2023.
On December 31, 2023, the brothers were riding and had an accident that shattered Tate’s skull. Doctors told his parents that he may never walk or talk again, but he proved them wrong. He recovered quickly and returned to school eight weeks later.
In February 2024, he began complaining of leg pain. Doctors found that he had a rare form of cancer called osteosarcoma. He underwent 18 weeks of chemotherapy and finished it in November 2024.
In March, he returned to the oncologist for his three-month scan after chemotherapy. Nodes previously seen on his lungs that were very small had begun growing. The doctors didn’t believe the growth rate was significant and surgery was scheduled for May.
Tate underwent surgery on May 15 to remove the nodes from both lungs. Once the surgery began, doctors realized that the growth rate of the nodes was much more than anticipated, and one was pressing against his heart. They removed about 20 of the larger ones, including the one close to the heart. They were unable to operate on the other lung at this time.
The oncologist told the Akins that they had little to no options now.
“The doctor sat in a room with us and said he was sorry and this was the last thing we wanted to see but he didn’t think that a strong chemo regimen would help. He thought it would kill him faster,” said Nathan Akin.
The Akins have been referred to a hospital in St. Louis for a clinical trial. That is the closest location where Tate can get everything he needs.
The Akins can either go to St. Louis and stay for a week every other week or purchase a hyperbaric chamber to use at home. The chamber alone costs around $10,000.
Insurance continues to deny a medication that is $7,800 per month. The Akins have exhausted all their savings trying to pay for everything their son needs.
With everything he has been through, Tate is still a cheerful and happy 8-year-old boy. He loves to swim, play his virtual reality headset and video games, bowl and loves arcades. He will be in the fourth grade at Adair County Elementary School in the fall.
“He still is always in a good mood, he’s always smiling no matter what we have him do. He’s not thinking about his mortality, he’s just thinking that the next thing we have to do is go to the doctor or take a medicine,” said Akin.
Laura Brummett has organized a fundraiser for the Akin family on Saturday. It will begin at 6 p.m. at the Polly Barn, 829 Hwy 768E in Glensfork. The evening will consist of a meal (barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, and sides) and live music. The cost is $10 per person and all the money will go to the Akin family.
“We just want to help all we can,” said Brummett. Donations will also be accepted. If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, you may call Brummett at 270-634-1992.
If anyone would like to send a care package, card, or make a donation directly to the family, contact Nathan at 270-250-4507.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
